Delicious Vegetarian Dishes

Europe

Poland

Surówka is a traditional salad that is prepared with vegetables and fresh fruit. The dressing is made with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and a bit of sugar. You can also make a creamy dressing that consists of sour cream, yogurt, and mayonnaise.

The salad is usually made with coarsely grated carrots, apples, onion, white cabbage, and sauerkraut and can include other kinds of ingredients depending on the season. The salad can be garnished with chopped parsley or dill before serving. Some versions include different spices like cinnamon and caraway seeds and include citrus fruits, dried fruits and nuts.

Romania

Ghiveci is a thick vegetable stew that is divided into two seasonal varieties - a hearty winter version and a lighter summer version. In the winter the stew can include root vegetables like carrots, celery, cauliflower, and cabbage. In the summer it can be prepared with zucchini, eggplant or bell pepper. Ingredients that are mandatory are tomatoes or tomato sauce, garlic, and onions.

Georgia

Lobio is a Georgian creation referring to a variety of dishes that have beans as the main ingredient. Red kidney beans are boiled with different spices making a thick stew usually served with mchadi, a traditional Georgian cornbread. Among the different varieties there is lobio nigvzit, which consists of mashed beans in a thick walnut sauce and is the most common version. The dish might also be served as a salad with whole or mashed beans.

Russia

Vinegret is the oldest and most popular salad in Russia and was created in the 19th century. The salad consists of boiled beets, potatoes, and carrots mixed with diced pickles, sauerkraut, and onions. The name of this salad is derived from the French term vinaigrette referring to an oily salad dressing in France. Once combined vinegret is covered with a dressing made of oil, vinegar or lemon juice and at times mustard. This salad is often prepared for holidays and festive occasions. To combine the flavors better it is suggested to make it a day ahead and refrigerate. Vinegret is accompanied by Russian black bread or sausages or herrings.

Turkey

Zucchini fritters are traditionally made with grated zucchini, four, and eggs and can include white Turkish cheese, onions and herbs like parsley, dill, or mint. The fritters are pan-fried until golden brown and served with plain yogurt or yogurt-based sauces. These make a great appetizer or vegetarian side dish.

Bulgur pilav is a nutritious Turkish pilaf prepared with onions, green peppers, tomatoes and spices. The bulgar is made tender and garnished with fresh parsley. It can be served as an accompaniment to casseroles or meat dishes.

Kisir is a classic Turkish salad prepared with thin bulgur wheat, tomatoes, mint, garlic, parsley, and either lemon juice or sour pomegranate molasses. For added spice red pepper flakes are added. Lemon juice is usually used in northwestern Turkey while pomegranate molasses is used in the southeast. This salad is used for buffets and meze and other times as a side dish for a variety of barbecued meats. It is served cold or at room temperature.

Greece

Braised okra is a classic Greek dish that is enjoyed as a light main course or a side dish. It is prepared with okra, sauteed onions, and fresh or canned tomatoes braised in olive oil and seasoned with different herbs. When served as a main course the dish is accompanied by crusty bread.

Fakes is a lentil soup with a dense texture and made with brown or green lentils, onions, garlic, carrots, and sometimes pureed tomatoes. It is served warm and topped with olive oil and vinegar. Usually enjoyed as a winter meal accompanied by bread.

Italy

Bruschetta is a popular Italian appetize that is prepared with sliced, toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with finely chopped tomatoes. It is usually drizzled with olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt, and fresh basil leaves. It is often served at special occasions and parties.

Caponata is a typical Sicilian dish prepared throughout southern Italy. There are more than 30 different recipes for this dish. It is prepared with capers, olives, onions, and celery and can include ingredients like pine nuts, raisins, almonds, and friggitello peppers.

Panzanella is a salad that is a combination of pieces of stale, moistened bread, tomatoes, onions, and basil, The dressing is made with vinegar and olive oil. The salad is a specialty of Tuscany served in the summer and includes fresh summer vegetables. This salad can also have cucumbers, olives, and cheese.

Spain

Pisto is a traditional Spanish dish from La Mancha prepared with different cooked and fried vegetables like tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and courgettes. The dish can be served warm as a side dish or cold as a starter. Variations include potatoes, pumpkin, or ham.

Escalivada is a popular dish that comes from the Catalonia region of Spain. The dish consists of eggplants, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, usually grilled over hot embers. When ready the vegetables are peeled, seeded, and seasoned then served as an appetizer or side dish accompanied by roasted or grilled meats.

Patatas bravas is a traditional tapas dish that is prepared with cubed potatoes drenched in a spice tomato sauce with onions, garlic, chilli powder, and paprika. The dish is traditionally served with aioli sauce on top.

Asia

India

Malai kofta is a traditional North Indian dish that is prepared with fried potatoes and paneer balls in a creamy sauce. This dish is usually served on special occasions and weddings because of its rich texture and flavor. It is a typical dish of Mughlai cuisine.

Bhelpuri is a savory snack served in cafes and from street carts all over India. The usual ingredients are puffed rice, groundnuts, potatoes, fried noodles, onions, and chillis. For added flavor the snack can include tamarind or date chutneys. It is particularly popular in Mumbai where it's enjoyed as a beach snack or comfort food.

Rajma is one of the popular vegetarian dishes in North India. The dish is prepared with red kidney beans stewed in a rich gravy with various spices. It is served with rice and bread such as roti.

Israel

Israeli salad is the best-known national dish of Israel. The salad consists of finely diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley, and either bell peppers or chilli peppers with a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice. The salad is served as a main dish or as a side and also sold as a street food wrapped in pita bread with falafel or shawarma. It is a healthy salad often eaten as a traditional Israeli breakfast.

Indonesia

Sayur asem is a sweet and sour vegetable soup which is also known as tamarind soup. The soup gets a distinctive sour taste from tamarind, an unusual plant grown in Southeast Asia. Ingredients included in the soup are jackfruits, melinjo, long beans, bilimbi, pumpkin, corn, and chayote.

Lebanon

Baba ghanoush is a Middle Eastern dish that's mostly associated with Lebanon. The dish is prepared with roasted and pureed eggplant, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and tahini. Other spices like mint can be added. It is usually served as an appetizer or used for dipping. It can be used for open-faced sandwiches topped with parsley, tomatoes and sliced cucumbers.

Fattoush is a salad that has pita bread as a base on which the rest of the salad ingredients are placed. The pita bread is torn or cut into bite-sized pieces, toasted, grilled, or fried, Then mixed with different vegetables like lettuce, radish, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic which are all chopped or cut into pieces and flavored with herbs like parsley and mint. The dressing consists of olive oil, lemon juice, and pomegranate syrup. The key ingredient is sumac a spice that is commonly used in the Levantine area.

Africa

Tunisia

Shakshouka is a delicious dish prepared with onions, tomatoes, and spices cooked in a skillet until they form a tomato sauce, Then eggs are cracked right into the tomato sauce and poached until done.

South Africa

Chakalaka is a spicy vegetable relish that is prepared with tomatoes, beans, and onions. In variations other ingredients might be added like carrots, bell peppers, chillies, and ginger, The dish was created in Johannesburg, becoming a staple dish. It is served as a side dish at barbecues. It can also be served as a cold salad combined with other greens.

South America

Colombia

Arroz con coco is a savory and sweet side dish. It is made with white rice, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and water. The dish becomes sweeter when raisins are added. It is traditionally served with fish dishes.

Chile

Arroz con huevo is popular all over Latin America. It is a simple dish that consists of rice topped with a fried egg. The dish can be topped with freshly grated cheese and finely chopped parsley.

Paraguay

Kiveve is a traditional dish that is prepared with pumpkin, cornmeal, and fresh cheese. It is served as a side dish, particularly at Paraguayan barbecues. Because of its sweet flavor it can also be served as a dessert.