Instructions: With a Japanese rotary slicer, cut cucumber into 1 long spiral.

(Alternatively, with a sharp knife cut cucumber into very thin slices.) In a bowl toss cucumber with vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt to taste.

In another bowl whisk together egg white, soy sauce and gingerroot until combined well and stir in salmon, bread crumbs, scallions, mustard seeds, and salt to taste. In a food processor puree 1/3 cup salmon mixture and return to salmon mixture remaining in bowl.

(Alternatively, chop 1/3 cup salmon mixture fine and mash to a paste with flat side of a knife.) Stir mixture to combine and form into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Drain cucumber well.

Heat a large non-stick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, spray with pam and cook patties until golden, about 2 minutes on each side. Cook patties, covered, over moderate heat until just cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Arrange lettuce leaves on 4 pumpernickel slices and top with salmon burgers, pickled cucumber, and remaining 4 pumpernickel slices.

Yield: 4 sandwiches

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