Georgia, renowned for its fertile landscapes, boasts a rich tradition of incorporating vegetables into its culinary repertoire. While the Georgian table is often adorned with a generous selection of meats, it is equally complemented by an array of vibrant vegetables and fresh greens. The variety of vegetable dishes showcases staples such as string beans, eggplants, cabbage, beets, and tomatoes, which can be enjoyed in numerous ways: raw, boiled, baked, fried, stewed, salted, or marinated.
Eggplants, in particular, hold a special place in Georgian cuisine, with countless dishes crafted from this versatile vegetable. Whether boiled, baked, stewed, or fried, eggplants are often paired with an enticing mix of spices and seasonings. One of the hallmark dishes at any Georgian feast is lobio, a hearty preparation of string beans that varies in style and flavor across different regions of Georgia. Additionally, the tradition of pickling and marinating vegetables is highly regarded, with marinated peppers, tomatoes, and cabbage (known as tsnili) being particularly popular.
No Georgian feast would be complete without a substantial assortment of fresh greens. These greens are a staple throughout the year, gracing breakfast, lunch, and dinner tables alike. Depending on the season, you might find parsley, fennel, ramson (wild garlic), mint, lettuce, basil, savory, and tarragon among the offerings. These fresh greens are often served alongside garden radishes, whole tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, creating a colorful and nutritious spread.
One unique dish that showcases the creativity of Georgian cuisine is mkhali, a traditional vegetable salad that features a single primary vegetable enhanced by a distinctive seasoning. Common choices for the base vegetable include cabbage, beet, spinach, sweet pepper, and onions. The accompanying seasoning is a flavorful blend that typically includes walnuts, wine vinegar, garlic, coriander, red pepper, parsley, and salt. The vegetables are first cooked—either boiled or baked—before being crushed and combined with the seasoning. This harmonious blend of cooked vegetables, fresh aromatic greens, and nuts creates a unique taste that sets mkhali apart from other vegetable dishes in Georgian cuisine.
Lobio, another beloved dish, is crafted from boiled string beans seasoned to perfection. The essential components for seasoning include onions, vegetable oil, and wine vinegar, which form the foundation of this hearty dish. Variations may incorporate tomatoes, walnuts, hard-boiled eggs, or cheese, along with an array of fresh herbs such as coriander, parsley, celery, leek, mint, savory, basil, and fennel. To enhance the flavor further, a selection of dry spices—including black or red pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, suneli, and saffron—can also be added.