Timatim (Ethiopian Tomato Salad)
Local name: ቲማቲም ሰላጣ
In short: Ripe tomatoes, red onion and green chili tossed with lemon juice and oil, a fresh, juicy salad served with injera and rich Ethiopian dishes. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 100 kcal
Timatim is Ethiopia's everyday tomato salad: ripe tomatoes, red onion and green chili tossed with lemon juice and a little oil. It is served beside tibs, kitfo and other rich dishes to add freshness, and it is a common lunch on fasting days. The salad is simple, so the tomatoes matter. After ten minutes the salad gives off a juicy dressing that is good for scooping up with injera.
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes into 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) pieces and put them in a bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and leave for 5 minutes.
- Add the red onion, chilies and garlic if using.
- Pour over the lemon juice and oil, add the pepper and toss well.
- Rest for 10 minutes so the juices blend, then taste and adjust the salt and lemon. Serve at room temperature.
Tips
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes. If they are very watery, halve them and scoop out some of the seeds before dicing.
- For timatim fitfit, tear a piece of injera into small pieces and toss it in just before serving so it soaks up the juices.
Questions and answers
What is timatim fitfit?
It is timatim mixed with torn pieces of injera, so the bread absorbs the juicy dressing. It is eaten as a light lunch or snack.
How long does timatim keep?
It is best fresh, but it will keep in the fridge for a day. The tomatoes release more liquid as it sits.
How spicy is timatim?
The chili sets the heat. Remove the seeds for a mild salad, or leave them in and add a second chili for a spicier one.
How long does it take to make Timatim (Ethiopian Tomato Salad)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Timatim (Ethiopian Tomato Salad)?
About 100 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 100 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
