Shopska Salata
Shopska salata is considered the national salad of Bulgaria, its name coming from the "shopi," the inhabitants of the region around Sofia, where the dish is believed to have been invented in the 1950s, as part of a tourism strategy to promote Bulgarian cuisine abroad. The red, white and green colors of the salad — tomatoes, sirene cheese and pepper — deliberately reflect the colors of the national flag. Although relatively recent as an invention, shopska salata quickly became an internationally recognized culinary symbol, served almost universally as an appetizer before any traditional Bulgarian meal. The classic recipe rejects any addition that might mask the freshness of the summer vegetables, and many Bulgarians consider that adding corn, olives or other modern ingredients betrays the original spirit of the recipe.
Fresh tomatoes and cucumbers
Summer vegetables, diced small, form the refreshing base of the salad.
Grated sirene cheese in abundance
Bulgarian white cheese is grated generously on top, like a layer of snow.
Red onion and peppers
Thinly sliced red onion and roasted pepper add texture and flavor.
Just sunflower oil
A simple drizzle of oil binds the vegetables, without complicated dressings.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 cucumbers, diced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 roasted bell pepper, cut into strips
- 200g sirene cheese (or feta)
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
How to make it
- 1Wash the tomatoes and cucumbers and cut them into medium-sized cubes, then place them in a large serving bowl.
- 2Peel the red onion and slice it very thinly, almost transparent, so it doesn't overpower the taste of the other vegetables.
- 3Peel and deseed the roasted pepper, cut it into thin strips, and add it over the tomatoes and cucumbers.
- 4Gently toss all the vegetables in a bowl, distributing the colors and textures evenly.
- 5Drizzle with sunflower oil and white wine vinegar, then salt to taste, mixing again carefully so as not to crush the vegetables.
- 6Transfer the salad to a platter or leave it in the serving bowl, nicely arranged.
- 7Grate the sirene cheese with a large-holed grater directly over the salad, covering it completely, like a fluffy layer of snow.
- 8Sprinkle chopped parsley for extra visual freshness.
- 9Serve the salad immediately, at room temperature, as an appetizer or alongside a grilled meat main course.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
