Shopska salad is not just one of the most famous dishes of Balkan cuisine. Undoubtedly, it is a true culinary symbol of Bulgaria, embodying its traditions, flavors, and even national colors. Its name comes from Shops – an ethnic Bulgarian group that has long inhabited Western Bulgaria. They are known for their unique culture, straightforward character, and love for simple, hearty, and rich dishes.In various variations, Shopska salad can be tasted in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, and even Hungary. However, it is in Bulgaria that this salad has gained a special status. Its popularization began in the mid-20th century when tourism was actively developing in the country. Bulgarian hotels and restaurants were looking for a dish that could become the culinary hallmark of the country – simple to prepare, bright, and delicious. It was then that Shopska salad took on the form we know today: juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, sweet peppers, and onions, generously seasoned with grated white cheese.The main feature of this salad is the colors that reflect the Bulgarian flag. Red tomatoes symbolize strength and vitality, green cucumber and pepper represent nature and fertility, while white cheese signifies purity and peace. The classic recipe uses sirene cheese – a brined cheese similar to feta but with a more pronounced salty taste.We will be preparing the Bulgaria variant of Shopska salad, but with slight modifications, which we will discuss further.
Time required: 10-15 minutes
Difficulty: 1 out of 5
Cost: below average in the vegetable season, average in the off-season
We will need:
Based on 2 servings:
1 medium cucumber
2 medium tomatoes
1 sweet red pepper (we used kapia)
2 small purple onions
150 g of brined cheese (we used smoked)
unrefined sunflower oil
vinegar
freshly ground black pepper
salt
optional - dried dill or fresh parsley
продуктовий набір
Preparation
First, we will peel and slice the onion into half rings. We pour a few tablespoons of vinegar over it and let it marinate while we cut the vegetables.
Ну чим не кольори прапору Болгарії?
We slice the cucumbers into half-moons. We cut the tomatoes and peppers into small cubes. We grate the cheese.We lightly squeeze the excess vinegar from the onion and move on to assembling the salad.We will arrange the prepared ingredients in the “classic” Bulgarian order: at the bottom – a mixture of tomatoes and peppers, then – onions, cucumbers, and on top – brined cheese. We add a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and oil. Optionally (or seasonally), we can add freshly chopped parsley. We mix just before serving. And enjoy ;)
