Tarator
Image: E4024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
A creamy, sharp Balkan-Turkish meze sauce made by combining crushed walnuts, garlic, bread crumb, vinegar, and olive oil. The classic accompaniment to fried fish and fried vegetables.
What Is Tarator?
Tarator is a sauce made by pounding walnuts, garlic, soaked bread crumb, vinegar, and olive oil in a mortar or blender into a creamy consistency. It is known across a wide geography from the Balkans to Turkey and parts of the Middle East.
Its consistency can also be achieved with almonds or hazelnuts instead of bread in some regions; since tarator is also the name of a cold yogurt-cucumber soup in Bulgaria, which one is meant is understood from context.
Nutritional Values of Tarator
100 grams of tarator contains approximately 300 kcal of energy; it carries fat from walnuts and olive oil. Values vary by recipe and are approximate.
How Should Tarator Be Consumed?
Tarator is consumed in moderate amounts as a sauce/meze, as part of a balanced diet.
This information is general; tarator is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment. People with nut allergies should avoid tarator.
How to Choose Tarator?
For homemade tarator, good ingredients mean fresh, not-rancid walnuts and firm, fresh garlic. For ready-made products, the consistency should be smooth-creamy and the smell fresh-garlicky.
- The consistency should be smooth-creamy, not separated
- The smell should be fresh garlicky-walnutty, not rancid-sour
- In homemade versions, the walnuts should be freshly cracked
How Is Tarator Stored?
Tarator can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a few days; since it is prepared fresh, it is recommended to be consumed soon.
Using Tarator in the Kitchen
Tarator is served most often as a cold sauce alongside fried fish (especially anchovy), fried vegetables (eggplant, zucchini), and some mezes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tarator and skordalya the same thing?
They are close relatives; both are a garlicky, thick cold sauce, but tarator is usually walnut-based, while skordalya is potato- or bread-based.
How is tarator made at home?
Walnuts and garlic are pounded in a mortar, soaked bread crumb is added, and it is turned into a thick sauce with vinegar and olive oil.
Is tarator found throughout Turkey?
It is especially common in Black Sea and Thracian cuisine; it is often served at fish restaurants, usually prepared fresh.