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    Home » Recipes » European

    Published: Aug 9, 2023 · Updated: Aug 12, 2023 by Joanne

    Walnut Paste: A Must-Have Recipe for Georgian Food

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Georgian walnut paste, also known as nigvzis sakmazi, is a rustic recipe made of nuts, herbs, water, and seasonings. This versatile component comes in many forms when combined with dishes across the Georgian cuisine. Once you make it, you have basically done half of some Georgian recipes!

    close up of walnut paste with a piece of parsley
    Jump to:
    • Why It's Important
    • Ingredients  
    • Substitutes
    • Recipe Tips
    • How to Make Georgian Walnut Paste  
    • How to Serve
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Georgian Walnut Paste Recipe
    • Have You Tried This Recipe?

    Why It's Important

    The walnut is a permanent and essential ingredient across traditional Georgian food. You'll find them in Georgian main dishes such as the Megrelian version of the kharcho - a stew with large pieces of veal. You'll see a variation of a Georgian dressing with walnuts in tomato and cucumber salads.

    Most of all, Georgian walnut paste make up half of the ingredients in many of the nation's appetizers. For example, you willl see walnut paste inside Georgian eggplant rolls, marinated red bell peppers, and compacted minced vegetable dishes called pkhali.

    Ingredients  

    ingredients for Georgian walnut paste: walnuts, parsley, chilies, vinegar, garlic, water, and seasoning

    Full disclosure: there are some spices of this list that are going to be difficult to find outside the country of Georgia. But the substitutes section provides information on how to replace them with more commonly found ingredients.

    • Walnuts
    • Garlic
    • White Wine Vinegar
    • Coriander Powder
    • Blue Fenugreek Powder
    • Marigold Powder
    • Fresh Green or Red Chilies (optional)
    • Fresh Parsley
    • Water
    • Salt

    Substitutes

    • Blue Fenugreek: This spice is uncommon outside the Caucasus mountains since it comes from flowers that only grow in the area. You can use regular fenugreek to replace this one. 

    • Marigold Powder: This spice is used as a natural colorant to give a vibrant hue to the paste. Saffron powder will work just as well.

    • Coriander Powder: Caraway powder is a great alternative to dry coriander. 

    • Parsley: Most herbs in Georgian cuisine are flexible substitutes for each other. Other options for walnut paste include fresh cilantro and mint. 

    • White Wine Vinegar: Vinegar from grapes is another vital element of Georgian food. So red wine vinegar will work just as well, but will have a slightly stronger flavor. Another substitute you can use is apple cider vinegar.

    Recipe Tips

    • Choose Your Walnuts: You can use raw or toasted walnuts. Make this recipe a few times to decide which one you prefer.

    • Add Water a Little at a Time: Water will make the crushed walnuts spread easier, but you don't want it to get too watery. Mixing water a little a time will help you reach the best consistency in the most efficient way.

    • Taste Test: Add the vinegar and salt a little at a time to get your desired taste. This walnut paste recipe is a guideline, and I want you to enjoy your creation! By doing this, you can decide on what exact flavor works best for you.

    • Paste Consistency: The end product shouldn't be smooth. Nutty bits in Georgian walnut paste are authentic and traditional.

    How to Make Georgian Walnut Paste  

    whole walnuts, parsley, chopped chilies, and seasonings in a food processor
    walnut paste chopped inside a food processor
    pouring water into walnut paste
    walnut paste inside a food processor

    This one is an easy recipe to follow:

    1. Place ingredients minus vinegar, water, and salt in a food processor.
    2. Pulse the ingredients until you can a rough paste.
    3. Add vinegar and water one tablespoon at a time to get the taste you like.
    4. Add salt and pulse until you get your desired consistency.

    How to Serve

    Walnut paste goes well spread across grilled or fried vegetables. You can mix some of the paste with more water or olive oil to make a salad dressing that goes well with tomatoes and cucumbers. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I store Georgian walnut paste?

    Yes, place the walnut paste in an airtight container and put it in the fridge. It should stay fresh for two weeks.

    Is Georgian walnut paste vegan?

    Absolutely! Georgian walnut paste is made with water, garlic, walnuts, herbs, and vinegar in addition to some powdered herb spices. That's it!

    walnut paste inside a clear bowl topped with a sprig of parsley

    Georgian Walnut Paste Recipe

    This Georgian walnut paste, also known as nigvzis sakmazi, is a rustic recipe made of nuts, herbs, water, and seasonings. This versatile component comes in many forms when combined with dishes across the Georgian cuisine.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine European, Georgian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 338 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 200 grams whole walnuts
    • 1 teaspoon blue fenugreek powder or fenugreek powder
    • 1 teaspoon marigold powder or saffron powder
    • 1 teaspoon coriander powder or caraway powder
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • 3-4 pieces parsley or cilantro or mint
    • 4 tablespoon water or more
    • ½ teaspoon salt to taste
    • 1 chili, small and diced optional

    Instructions
     

    • Place all ingredients except for vinegar, salt, and water in a food processor.
      walnuts, parsley, chilies, and seasonings in a food processor
    • Pulse until you get a rough paste. Add a tablespoon of vinegar and water at a time.
      walnut paste chopped inside a food processor
    • Pulse a few seconds and use a spatula to push the sides down. Add more vinegar and water. Repeat until you get a slightly softer consistency. Add more water if needed, but do not use more vinegar.
      pouring water into walnut paste
    • Add salt and keep pulsing until you get a smoother consistency that still have some nutty bits.
      walnut paste inside a food processor

    Nutrition

    Calories: 338kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 8gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 24gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 253mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 2mg
    Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated with the Spoonacular Food API and should be used for informational purposes only.
    Keyword georgian food, georgian spread, georgian walnuts, paste, quick recipe, spread recipe, vegan, walnut, walnut paste, walnut spread

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