Ciorbă Țărănească de Legume
A hearty and rustic peasant-style vegetable soup, Ciorbă Țărănească de Legume is a staple in Romanian cuisine, known for its diverse array of vegetables and slightly sour, comforting flavor. It's often made with seasonal produce and can include meat or be prepared as a vegetarian dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and diced)
- 2 medium Celery stalks(diced)
- 1 large Bell pepper(any color, diced)
- 3 medium Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned diced, or 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped)
- 1.5 l Vegetable broth
- 150 g Green beans(trimmed and cut)
- 100 g Peas(fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium Zucchini(diced)
- 100 ml Bors (fermented wheat bran)(or lemon juice to taste)
- 1/4 cup Fresh dill(chopped)
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for serving Sour cream
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add diced carrots and celery to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 3
Stir in the diced bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
- 4
Add the cubed potatoes and diced tomatoes (if using fresh, cook until they start to break down). Stir well.
- 5
Pour in the vegetable broth. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- 6
Add the green beans, peas, and zucchini to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through but still slightly firm.
- 7
Stir in the bors (or lemon juice) to achieve the desired sourness. Add chopped fresh dill and parsley. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 8
Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream on top if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a piece of smoked meat (like a ham hock or smoked ribs) to the broth while it simmers, removing it before serving.
- ✓Adjust the amount of bors or lemon juice to your preference for sourness.
- ✓Use seasonal vegetables for the freshest taste.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add small meatballs (perisoare) for a heartier soup.
- Include other vegetables like cauliflower, parsnips, or leeks.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure you use vegetable broth and omit any meat.