Cucumber with Basil, Yogurt, Walnuts & Browned Butter (Yanik Tereyagli Cacik)

Place walnuts in a bowl and add cold water to cover by 1 inch. Soak for 5 hours at room temperature. Rinse, add fresh water to cover by 1 inch and refrigerate overnight. Drain, pat dry and coarsely chop.

Using a potato masher, mash cucumbers with 1/4 teaspoon salt until juicy. Drain in a colander for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon basil, oil, garlic, lemon zest, pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Whisk yogurt in a large bowl until smooth and spread onto a serving platter. Top with the cucumber mixture and the walnuts.

Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat until beginning to brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and drizzle over the cucumbers. Serve topped with the remaining 1 tablespoon basil.