Source: White78, AdobeStockGeorgian cuisine is famous for its wide variety of delicious appetizers – and pkhali are among the simplest and most popular. Pkhali are made from various ingredients, but always with plenty of nuts, herbs, garlic, and spices. Want to try them? Then our selection of 20 best recipes is waiting for you!
1. Spinach Pkhali with Walnuts
Source: interesnoje.ruPomegranate seeds, red currants, and cranberries are traditionally used for garnish.
You will need: 300 g spinach, 10 g cilantro, 10 g parsley, 100 g walnuts, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp paprika, 0.5 tsp ground black pepper, salt to taste, 500 ml water.
Preparation: Add spinach to boiling water, cook for 30 seconds, remove with a slotted spoon, and cool. Place walnuts, cilantro, parsley, and cooled spinach in a blender. Add lemon juice, spices, and blend until smooth. Season with salt and mix, then form small pkhali into balls.
2. Young Cabbage Pkhali
Source: koketta.ruSometimes pkhali are shaped into an elongated cutlet or hemisphere.
You will need: 500 g young cabbage, 100 g walnuts, 4 cloves garlic, 10 g mixed herbs, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground black pepper, salt to taste, 2 liters water.
Preparation: Separate cabbage into leaves and blanch in boiling water until soft. Cool, chop, and transfer to a blender. Add walnuts, herbs, and peeled garlic, then blend until smooth. Pour in lemon juice, sprinkle with salt and spices. Mix, form small balls, and arrange the finished pkhali on a wide plate.
3. Beetroot Pkhali
Source: lifehacker.ruGeorgian feasts are never complete without pkhali!
You will need: 250 g cooked beetroot, 10 g cilantro, 1 cup walnuts, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, spices and salt to taste.
Preparation: Peel and cut beetroot into medium pieces. Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Grind beetroot, walnuts, cilantro, and peeled garlic cloves through a meat grinder. Mix the resulting mass with vinegar, spices, and salt. Form small pkhali and arrange them on a plate.
4. Beet Greens and Herb Pkhali
Source: iverionipeterhof.ruServe them with meat, boiled vegetables, and fish.
You will need: 200 g beet greens, 200 g spinach, 50 g mixed herbs, 150 g walnuts, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, salt to taste, 2 liters water.
Preparation: Boil water, add beet greens and spinach, cook for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon. Blend beet greens, spinach, herbs, walnuts, and peeled garlic in a blender. Mix everything, add spices, lemon juice, and salt. Mix the mass and form small pkhali.
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5. Carrot Pkhali
Source: postila.ruYou can add a little sugar for taste.
You will need: 300 g cooked carrots, 10 g walnuts, 2 cloves garlic, 4 sprigs parsley, 4 sprigs cilantro, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, spices and salt to taste.
Preparation: Peel and cut carrots into medium pieces. Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Grind carrots, walnuts, herbs, and peeled garlic through a meat grinder. Mix everything in a wide bowl, add spices, salt, oil, and lemon juice. Mix, form round pkhali, and arrange them on a beautiful plate.
6. Green Bean Pkhali
Source: kahuri.ruThese pkhali can be made from both fresh and frozen green beans.
You will need: 500 g green beans, 100 g walnuts, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 10 g cilantro, 10 g parsley, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, salt to taste, 2 liters water.
Preparation: Chop green beans and cook in salted boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and cool. Grind green beans, herbs, walnuts, peeled garlic, and onion through a meat grinder. Mix the resulting mass with lemon juice, oil, spices, and salt. Form small balls, arrange them on a plate, and serve the pkhali.
7. Bean Pkhali
Source: shato-manavi.ruInstead of nuts, you can also add a little nut paste.
You will need: 400 g dry beans, 100 g walnuts, 2 cloves garlic, 15 g mixed herbs, 1 tbsp lemon juice, spices and salt to taste, 4 liters water.
Preparation: Cover beans with cold water and cook over low heat until done. Drain the water, cool the beans, and blend them. Also blend walnuts, herbs, and peeled garlic. Mix the preparations in a wide bowl, add lemon juice, spices, and salt. Mix and, with wet hands, form pkhali into rounded patties.
8. Baked Eggplant Pkhali
Source: gurmadze.ruThe appetizer will be even more aromatic if you grill the eggplants.
You will need: 1 kg eggplants, 20 g garlic, 100 g onion, 30 g cilantro, 250 g walnuts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp wine vinegar, spices and salt to taste.
Preparation: Bake eggplants in the oven until soft, cool, and peel. Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Grind eggplant pulp, cilantro, walnuts, peeled garlic, and onion through a meat grinder. Mix the resulting mass with spices, salt, olive oil, and wine vinegar. Form small pkhali and serve.
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9. Mushroom Pkhali
Source: kristinabelko.ruPkhali are similarly prepared with other types of mushrooms.
You will need: 500 g champignons, 2 onions, 150 g walnuts, 10 g parsley, 10 g cilantro, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, 0.5 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp paprika, salt to taste.
Preparation: Peel, chop, and sauté onion in oil until translucent. Add chopped mushrooms and cook everything together for 10 minutes. Separately toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Blend fried mushrooms with onion, walnuts, parsley, and cilantro. Mix the resulting mass with spices, salt, vinegar, and garlic pressed through a press. Form round pkhali and arrange them beautifully on a plate.
10. Georgian Pumpkin and Carrot Pkhali
Source: hi-chef.ruA very simple, yet healthy and delicious dish.
You will need: 300 g pumpkin pulp, 200 g carrots, 10 g garlic, 2 onions, 10 g cilantro, 150 g walnuts, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, 1 tsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground black pepper, salt to taste.
Preparation: Cut pumpkin, carrots, and peeled onion into small pieces. Place them in a heatproof dish, add peeled garlic cloves and oil, mix, and bake in an oven preheated to 200 degrees for 30 minutes. Then grind the baked vegetables, cilantro, and walnuts through a meat grinder. Mix the resulting mass with spices, salt, lemon juice, and wine vinegar. Form small pkhali, arrange them on a plate, and serve.
11. Nettle and Aromatic Herb Pkhali
Source: dzen.ruHandle nettles with gloves before heat treatment.
You will need: 200 g young nettles, 20 g cilantro, 20 g parsley, 10 g dill, 4 cloves garlic, 100 g onion, 150 g walnuts, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, spices and salt to taste, 1.5 liters water.
Preparation: Immerse nettles in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and cool. Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Grind nettles, cilantro, parsley, dill, walnuts, peeled garlic, and onion through a meat grinder. Mix everything, add vinegar, spices, and salt. Mix and form pkhali into small balls.
12. Bell Pepper Pkhali
Source: gotovim.uzThis recipe requires fleshy bell peppers with juicy pulp.
You will need: 500 g bell peppers, 2 cloves garlic, 4 sprigs cilantro, 4 sprigs parsley, 1 cup walnuts, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp utskho-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, salt to taste, 1.5 liters water.
Preparation: Core bell peppers, cut into quarters, and immerse in boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon, and cool. Lightly toast walnuts in a dry pan. Blend cooked bell peppers, cilantro, parsley, walnuts, and peeled garlic in a blender. Mix the resulting mass with spices, salt, and lemon juice. Form small balls and arrange on a plate.
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13. Wild Garlic Pkhali
Source: gruziyagid.ruGarlic is not used in this recipe.
You will need: 200 g wild garlic, 10 g parsley, 2 onions, 100 g walnuts, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, 1 tsp olive oil, 0.5 tsp ground black pepper, 0.5 tsp paprika, salt to taste.
Preparation: Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Grind walnuts, wild garlic, parsley, and peeled onion through a meat grinder. Mix everything, add spices, salt, oil, and vinegar. Mix and form pkhali into rounded patties with your hands.
14. Chickpea Pkhali with Herbs
Source: za-edoy.ruChickpeas will cook faster if soaked in cold water for 6-8 hours beforehand.
You will need: 200 g cooked chickpeas, 100 g walnuts, 2 cloves garlic, 10 g cilantro, 4 mint leaves, 5 g parsley, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground black pepper, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, salt to taste.
Preparation: Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Grind cooked chickpeas, walnuts, cilantro, mint, parsley, and peeled garlic through a meat grinder. Mix the resulting mass with spices, salt, and lemon juice, then form pkhali.
15. Cabbage Pkhali with Beetroot and Hot Pepper
Source: passerovka.ruWe recommend preparing pkhali with various herbs.
You will need: 300 g young cabbage, 200 g cooked beetroot, 100 g walnuts, 3 cloves garlic, 10 g herbs, 1/2 hot pepper pod, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, 0.5 tsp utskho-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, salt to taste, 2 liters water.
Preparation: Separate young cabbage into leaves, immerse in boiling water, and cook for 5 minutes. Lightly toast walnuts in a dry pan. Blend cooked cabbage leaves, walnuts, beetroot, herbs, and hot pepper in a blender. Mix everything, add garlic pressed through a press, spices, salt, and vinegar. Moisten your hands with water and form pkhali into small balls of equal size.
16. Broccoli Pkhali with Onion and Garlic
Source: letsgophotos.ruUse only the tender parts of broccoli.
You will need: 400 g broccoli, 2 onions, 4 cloves garlic, 10 g cilantro, 100 g walnuts, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, 1 tsp olive oil, 0.5 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, salt to taste, 2 liters water.
Preparation: Separate broccoli into florets, immerse in boiling water, and cook for 4-5 minutes. Lightly toast walnuts in a dry pan. Grind cooked broccoli, cilantro, walnuts, garlic, and onion through a meat grinder. Mix everything, add spices, salt, olive oil, and wine vinegar. Mix, form small pkhali patties, and arrange them on a beautiful plate.
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17. Broccoli, Spinach, and Sorrel Pkhali
Source: gruziyagid.ruA versatile appetizer for all occasions!
You will need: 300 g broccoli, 100 g spinach, 100 g sorrel, 10 g cilantro, 10 g parsley, 3 cloves garlic, 100 g walnuts, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tsp lemon juice, spices and salt to taste, 1.5 liters water.
Preparation: Cut broccoli into small pieces, immerse in boiling water and cook for 5 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and let cool. In the same water, cook spinach and sorrel for 1 minute. Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Grind broccoli, spinach, sorrel, walnuts, cilantro, parsley, and peeled garlic through a meat grinder. Mix the resulting mass with spices, salt, oil, and lemon juice. Moisten your hands with water and form round pkhali.
18. Ekala Pkhali with Pine Nuts
Source: womanadvice.ruOne of the most popular pkhali variations specifically in Georgia.
You will need: 100 g ekala (sarsaparilla), 10 g cilantro, 10 g parsley, 2 cloves garlic, 4 tbsp pine nuts, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, 0.5 tsp paprika, salt to taste, 1 liter water.
Preparation: Immerse ekala in boiling water, cook for 10 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon, and cool. Toast pine nuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Blend ekala, pine nuts, herbs, and peeled garlic in a blender. Mix everything, add spices, lemon juice, oil, and salt. Mix and form pkhali into small balls.
19. Zucchini Pkhali
Source: info-imya.ruYou can add a little olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers.
You will need: 400 g zucchini, 2 onions, 3 cloves garlic, 20 g any herbs, 200 g walnuts, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp wine vinegar, spices and salt to taste.
Preparation: Cut zucchini into small pieces, drizzle with olive oil, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Grind baked zucchini, herbs, walnuts, garlic, and onion through a meat grinder. Mix the resulting mass with spices, salt, and vinegar. Moisten your hands with water and form small pkhali.
20. Spicy Beetroot Pkhali with Chili Pepper
Source: ginzadelivery.ruAdjust the level of spiciness to your preference.
You will need: 300 g cooked beetroot, 1 chili pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 10 g cilantro, 100 g walnuts, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp khmeli-suneli, 0.5 tsp paprika, 0.5 tsp ground coriander, salt to taste.
Preparation: Cut chili in half and remove seeds. Toast walnuts for a couple of minutes in a pan. Blend beetroot, walnuts, chili pepper, cilantro, and peeled garlic in a blender. Add lemon juice, spices, salt, and mix thoroughly. Form small pkhali, arrange them on a plate, and serve.