Tkemali (Georgian Sour Plum Sauce)
Local name: ტყემალი
In short: A tart Georgian sauce of cooked sour plums, garlic, chili, coriander and dill, served with grilled meat, potatoes, fish and fried chicken. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 45 kcal
Tkemali is the sour plum sauce of Georgia, set on the table beside grilled meat, fried potatoes and roast chicken. Tart plums are cooked down, pushed through a sieve and seasoned with garlic, chili, coriander and plenty of fresh herbs such as dill, cilantro and mint. Green tkemali is made from unripe plums, red from ripe ones. It is sharp, garlicky and fresh, and it keeps for weeks in the fridge.
Instructions
- Put the plums and water in a heavy pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until the skins split and the plums fall apart.
- Cool the plums for 10 minutes. Press them through a coarse sieve with a spoon into a clean saucepan, discarding the stones and skins.
- Simmer the puree over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until it is thick enough to coat a spoon. Skim off any foam.
- Stir in the garlic, coriander, chili, salt and sugar and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the dill, cilantro and mint. Taste and adjust the salt, sugar and chili. The sauce should be very sour, garlicky and herbal.
- Cool the sauce completely, then pour it into clean jars and chill. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Tips
- If you cannot find sour plums, use firm, underripe tart plums and add 2 to 3 tbsp lemon juice at the end, tasting as you go.
- The sauce keeps for 2 weeks in a clean jar in the fridge, or 6 months in the freezer. Use clean spoons each time so it stays fresh.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between green and red tkemali?
Green tkemali is made from unripe plums and is sharper, with a stronger herb flavor. Red tkemali comes from ripe sour plums and is rounder and slightly sweeter.
What do you serve tkemali with?
Grilled meat and skewers, fried or roast potatoes, fried fish, roast chicken, dumplings and beans. It is also stirred into soups such as kharcho for sourness.
Can I make tkemali with ordinary plums?
Yes, but use firm, underripe ones and add lemon juice for sharpness. Very sweet, ripe plums turn the sauce into something closer to jam.
How long does it take to make Tkemali (Georgian Sour Plum Sauce)?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tkemali (Georgian Sour Plum Sauce)?
About 45 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 45 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
