Zhug (Fresh Green Hot Pepper and Cilantro Sauce)
Local name: סחוג
In short: A vivid, fiery paste of green chilies, cilantro, garlic and cumin that gives falafel, eggs and grilled meat an instant kick. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 37 kcal
Zhug, also spelled skhug or sahug, is the hot sauce on every falafel counter and many breakfast tables in Israel. Fresh green chilies are blended with cilantro, parsley, garlic, cumin and cardamom into a thick, coarse paste, sharpened with a little lemon. A spoonful wakes up eggs, soups, sandwiches and grilled meat. It is quick to make, and the fresher the herbs, the greener and brighter the sauce.
Instructions
- Wear gloves when handling the peppers. Chop them roughly. For a milder sauce, remove the seeds and white ribs first.
- Put the peppers, cilantro, parsley, garlic, spices and salt in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the bowl.
- With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice until you have a coarse, spoonable paste. Do not blend it smooth. A slightly chunky texture is right.
- Taste and adjust the salt and lemon. Spoon into a clean jar and pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top.
- Chill for at least 1 hour so the flavors develop, then serve as a condiment.
Tips
- Heat varies from pepper to pepper. Taste a small piece first, and use milder peppers or remove the seeds as needed.
- For a red version, use ripe red chilies and add a spoonful of tomato paste.
Questions and answers
How long does zhug keep?
In a clean jar under a layer of olive oil it keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge. It also freezes well in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.
What do you eat zhug with?
Falafel, shakshuka, malawach, hummus, grilled meat, soups and eggs. A little also livens up dressings, marinades and sandwiches.
How hot is zhug?
Very, depending on the peppers, so it is used in small amounts. Remove the seeds and use half the peppers for a milder version.
How long does it take to make Zhug (Fresh Green Hot Pepper and Cilantro Sauce)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Zhug (Fresh Green Hot Pepper and Cilantro Sauce)?
About 37 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 37 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
