Tzatziki is a typical appetizer from the southern Balkans, an original Greek recipe.
A fresh, light, and very tasty sauce made with yogurt and cucumbers.
How is it eaten?
It can be spread on fresh bread or pita, on croutons, breadsticks. An excellent accompaniment for skewers (Souvlaki) or as a sauce in sandwiches (Gyros or Turkish kebap). Possible pairings: pinzimonio with summer vegetables, on meat or to dip vegan meatballs.
Try also enjoying it with tuna, salmon, or feta.
Try replacing the cucumber with small, fresh zucchini.
For a light version try using low-fat Greek yogurt.
Greek salad and tzatziki are my favorite Greek receptek.
Recommended to use garlic, without losing the traditional flavor.
Called in Greek τζατζίκι, in Bulgarian снежанка, in Albanian Taratori, in Turkish cacık. Similar dish: in Iraq jajik, in Cyprus talaturi. Source: Wikipedia
SEASONALITY
#cucumbers – from May to October
#dill tips – from May to July
#chives – spring, summer, and fall
RECIPES with cucumbers
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 1 Hour
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: for about 300 g of Greek sauce
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Energy 71.28 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 6.84 (g) of which sugars 4.98 (g)
- Proteins 3.98 (g)
- Fat 3.45 (g) of which saturated 1.47 (g)of which unsaturated 0.02 (g)
- Fibers 0.56 (g)
- Sodium 137.47 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 100 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Simple Greek Tzatziki
For a VEGAN version use plain soy yogurt (to thicken, strain it).
- 1 cucumber (very fresh)
- 150 g Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic (or less)
- to taste salt (and pepper or chili pepper)
- to taste apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- to taste dill (and/or basil, chives, fennel, mint, oregano, coriander, parsley)
To personal taste, you can add a little finely chopped onion, olives, and/or capers.
If using very fresh cucumbers, tzatziki is delicious simply seasoned with garlic, oil, and salt.
What to use instead of Greek yogurt? Quark, sour cream, or ricotta.
How many calories does tzatziki sauce have?
Tools
- Grater
- Bowl
- Teaspoon
- Garlic Press or cutting board with knife
Greek Tzatziki
Wash the cucumber, peel it (if organic, it can be used with the skin), and grate it julienne style.
Chop the garlic with a garlic press.
Prepare your preferred aromatic herbs, and if necessary, chop them finely.
In a bowl combine:
– the cucumber
– the garlic
– the herbs (#dill #basil #coriander #chives #fennel #marjoram #mint #oregano)
– the yogurt
– the salt
– the vinegar (or lemon)
– the oil
Mix well.
Let the Tzatziki marinate in the fridge for at least an hour, then serve it in a bowl and garnish with olives, capers, or mint leaves.
If the cucumber is watery,
after grating it, place it in a sieve to drain well, then press it with the back of a teaspoon to remove all its water.
Without a garlic press,
chop the garlic into small pieces, place it on a cutting board with a little salt on top, then crush it repeatedly with the tip of a stiff knife until it turns to pulp.
How to Store Tzatziki
Tzatziki can be stored in the fridge for 3 – 4 days, in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
Other SAUCE RECIPES
What are the benefits of tzatziki?
Tzatziki is rich in probiotic lactic ferments thanks to the yogurt, which aid digestion and strengthen the immune system. Cucumbers are hydrating and rich in antioxidants, while garlic has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
