Skordalia

Summary

Skordalia or skordhalia or skorthalia (Greek: σκορδαλιά [skorðaˈʎa], also called αλιάδα, aliada/aliatha) is a thick purée in Greek cuisine, made of garlic in a base of potatoes, walnuts, almonds or liquid-soaked stale bread mixed with olive oil in to make a smooth emulsion, to which some vinegar is added.[1][2] It is usually made in a mortar and pestle. Skordalia is served as a sauce, side dish, or dip.

Skordalia
Skordalia (center) served with hummus (right), vegetables and pita bread
TypePuree
Region or stateGreece
Main ingredientsGarlic
Ingredients generally usedPotatoes, walnuts, almonds, bread, olive oil
  •   Media: Skordalia

Overview edit

 
A plate with skordalia
 
Skordalia (left) served with flatbread in Reno, Nevada

Skordalia is the modern equivalent of ancient skorothalmi.[1] The name, on the other hand, may be a pleonastic compound of Greek σκόρδο [ˈskorðo] 'garlic' and Italian agliata [aʎˈʎaːta] 'garlicky'.[3]

Skordalia is usually served with batter-fried fish (notably salt cod, μπακαλιάρος), fried vegetables (notably eggplant and zucchini), poached fish, or boiled vegetables (notably beets). It is sometimes used as a dip.[citation needed]

Variants of skordalia may include eggs as the emulsifier, omitting or reducing the bulk ingredient, which makes for a result similar to the Provençal aïoli and Catalan allioli. In the Ionian Islands, cod stock and lemon are usually added instead of vinegar, and then skordalia is eaten as a main dish.[citation needed]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Davidson, Alan (21 September 2006). The Oxford Companion to Food. OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780191018251 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Guardian newspaper: skordalia recipe with potato for body and lemon for sharpness
  3. ^ Babiniotis, Λεξικό της Νέας Ελληνικής Γλώσσας