Mzhave
Mzhave: Georgian mixed fermented vegetables for the feast table
No supra is laid without mzhave, a platter of crunchy sour vegetables that clears the palate between rich dishes and toasts. In Kakheti and Imereti families pickle green tomatoes, small peppers, garlic, cauliflower and cabbage together in autumn, flavouring the brine with dill stalks, celery leaves and a hot pepper or two. A common mistake is packing in warm brine, which softens the vegetables; let it cool fully first. Chef's tip: prick each green tomato with a skewer so the brine reaches the centre, and add a few cherry or vine leaves to the jar if you have them, for crunch.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the pickle
- 1 ⅛ lb green tomatoespricked twice
- 10 ½ oz small green pepperspricked
- 10 ½ oz cauliflowerin small florets
- 1 head garlicpeeled
- 1 handful dill stalks with seed heads
- 1 handful celery leaves
For the brine
- 6 ¼ cups water
- 1 ¾ oz non-iodised salt
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Bring 6 ¼ cups water and 1 ¾ oz non-iodised salt to the boil, stir until dissolved and cool completely.
10 minStep 2: Pack 1 ⅛ lb green tomatoes, 10 ½ oz small green peppers, 10 ½ oz cauliflower, 1 head garlic and 2 hot green chillies into a large, clean jar, tucking 1 handful dill stalks with seed heads and 1 handful celery leaves between the layers.
Step 3: Pour over the cold brine to cover by 2 cm and weigh the vegetables down. Common mistake: hot brine; the vegetables lose their crunch.
Step 4: Cover loosely and leave at cool room temperature for 5–7 days, until the tomatoes turn khaki and taste sour right through.
Step 5: Refrigerate and eat within a month. Discard if it smells rotten or grows coloured mould.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 30 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mzhave take?
- About 30 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of green tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
- What can I use instead of cauliflower?
- Broccoli, same weight.
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