Kappamaki (Cucumber Sushi Roll)

In Japan, cucumber rolls are called kappamaki, and they happen to be one of the most popular sushi rolls.

Making sushi rolls requires a careful attention to detail, but they're not hard. In fact, this is a good recipe to start with if the process is unfamiliar to you because it only requires three ingredients: nori (dried seaweed), sushi rice, and cucumber. As there is no fish included, this roll is also perfect for vegetarians and vegans. (It also happens to be a roll that children in Japan enjoy.)

The word kappa doesn't actually mean cucumber in Japanese (that is kyuuri); it refers to a demon or imp figure from Japanese traditional folklore whose favorite food was believed to be cucumbers. The word kappa is related to water; it's a combination of words meaning "river" and "child." And so, kappa is associated with cucumbers, hence the name of this sushi roll. Interestingly, no other Japanese cucumber dishes are called kappa.

This recipe calls for Japanese cucumbers, which are long, slender, and thin skinned. They do not have seeds or any bitter taste and are therefore easy to handle and a pleasure to eat. If you cannot find Japanese cucumbers, mini Persian or English cucumbers are good substitutes. In a total pinch, you can use garden-variety cucumbers, but be sure to scrape out their seeds.

Your Guide to Basic Types of Japanese Sushi