Greek and Shopska salads are two bright representatives of Mediterranean and Balkan cuisine. Both are light and fresh, with a large amount of vegetables as their main ingredients. However, despite their striking similarity, they have several key differences that affect their taste and texture.
Basic Information
Let's start with Greek salad. Also known as "horiatiki", it surprisingly originates from Greece and in its classic version consists of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives (usually Kalamata), bell pepper, and feta cheese. It is dressed with olive oil, oregano, and sometimes lemon juice.
Грецький салат
Shopska salad, on the other hand, is a traditional dish of Bulgaria, also popular in Serbia, North Macedonia, and other Balkan countries. Its base consists of finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and sweet pepper. But the main difference is the use of brined cheese or a similar salty cheese, grated over the vegetables, which makes the taste richer. Shopska salad is dressed with oil (sunflower or olive), and sometimes vinegar.
варіація на тему шопського салату
Key Differences
Cheese. Greek salad contains feta, which is cut into cubes or large pieces. Shopska salad uses brined cheese, grated over the vegetables, making the flavor more intense.
Cutting Technique. In Greek salad, the vegetables are left quite large, while in Shopska salad, they are cut smaller.
Olives. Greek salad traditionally contains olives, while Shopska salad does not.
Dressing. Greek salad is often complemented with oregano and lemon juice, while vinegar is sometimes added to Shopska salad.
Both salads pair wonderfully with meat or fish dishes and are an ideal choice for a summer menu. They are similar in composition but have their own individuality, allowing everyone to choose the one they prefer. Which of these two salads is your favorite? When the commenting option is implemented on the platform, leave your answers ;)
