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| Alternative names | Tqemali |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Georgia |
| Main ingredients | Plums (cherry plum or alucha), garlic, pennyroyal, cumin, coriander, dill, chili pepper and salt |
Tkemali (Georgian: ტყემალი) is a Georgian sauce primarily made of cherry plum also alucha and red-leaf plum is popular and common species in Georgia for making Tkemali. Both red and green varieties of plum are used. The flavor of the sauce varies, but generally tends to be pungently tart. To lower the tartness level, occasionally sweeter types of plums are added during preparation. Traditionally, besides plum the following ingredients are used: garlic, pennyroyal, cumin, coriander, dill, chili pepper and salt.
Tkemali is used for fried or grilled meat, poultry and potato dishes, and has a place in Georgian cuisine similar to the one ketchup has in the United States. It can be made at home, but is also mass-produced by several Georgian and Russian companies.
