Pkhali (Georgian Spinach and Walnut Appetizer)
Local name: ფხალი
In short: Cold Georgian spinach and walnut paste seasoned with garlic, coriander and vinegar, shaped into mounds and topped with pomegranate seeds. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 170 kcal
Pkhali is a cold appetizer of finely chopped vegetables mixed with ground walnuts, garlic, herbs and vinegar, shaped into small mounds and topped with pomegranate seeds. Spinach, beet greens, beets, cabbage and green beans all get the treatment, and a plate of several colors is standard at a Georgian feast. It is vegan, rich in flavor and best made a few hours ahead. Serve with warm bread.
Instructions
- Boil the spinach in salted water for 2 to 3 minutes until just wilted. Drain, cool in cold water and squeeze very dry in a clean towel. Chop it finely.
- Grind the walnuts, garlic, salt, coriander, khmeli suneli and cayenne in a food processor to a thick paste. Add 2 to 4 tbsp cold water, a little at a time, to loosen it.
- Mix the walnut paste with the spinach, onion, cilantro and vinegar. Knead with your hands for a minute until the mixture is sticky and holds together.
- Taste and adjust the salt and vinegar. The flavor should be nutty, garlicky and slightly sharp.
- Shape the mixture into 18 small balls or flatten them into discs, or press it into a shallow dish. Chill for 1 hour, then top with pomegranate seeds and serve with bread.
Tips
- Squeeze the spinach until no water drips out. Wet spinach makes a loose paste that will not hold its shape.
- Use the same walnut paste with boiled beets, cooked beet greens, cooked cabbage or green beans for a colorful plate of different pkhali.
Questions and answers
How long does pkhali keep?
Covered in the fridge it keeps for 3 days. The flavor deepens after a few hours. Add the pomegranate seeds just before serving.
Can I use frozen spinach for pkhali?
Yes. Use 300 g (10 oz) frozen spinach, thaw it and squeeze it very dry. Skip the boiling step.
What do you serve with pkhali?
Georgian bread or mchadi (cornbread), pickles and lobio (bean stew). In Georgia it is part of a spread of small cold dishes at a feast.
How long does it take to make Pkhali (Georgian Spinach and Walnut Appetizer)?
About 35 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pkhali (Georgian Spinach and Walnut Appetizer)?
About 170 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 170 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 260 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
