Jajuk, Armenian Summer Soup, is a middle eastern dish of yogurt and cucumbers with onions, mint and dill. It is a delicious summer salad for barbecues and picnics.
Most, if not all, Middle Eastern cuisines have their own variation of yogurt and cucumber salad or soup. The Greeks add garlic and call it Tzatziki, the Armenians go with mint and dill and call it Jajuk. Which translates to Summer Soup. My Armenian "expert", Jamie from I am Not the Babysitter, told me some people use more yogurt than vegetables so it is more soup like.
When I posted the photo above to the FMS Photo A Day group, a wonderful fellow member, Callie Raykhonov, gave me the following information about this dish in Uzbekistan and Russia:
I make something similar that I learned in Uzbekistan (made last night in fact) and wanted to see how similar your recipe was. Quite similar but I put radishes and lots of minced garlic. And we actually add water to make it more like soup. My husband is from Bukhara where they speak Tajik and it's called "chaka chalop" Russians add kvas (fermented bread drink) and call it "okroshka"
Your foodie lesson for the day.
The original recipe came from a college friend of my dad's and he and mom tweaked it a little bit to make it more like a salad, which is what is listed below. If you want it more soup like, add water or kvass. Of course I might just have to search around to find some kvass to try it for myself.
This comes together quickly, but you want to make it a few hours ahead of time to let the flavors blend.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain yogurt (or 1 cup greek yogurt)
- 2 Medium cucumbers
- ½ cup red onions (diced)
- ¼ cup fresh mint (finely minced)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- salt and white pepper to taste
- ¼ cup fresh dill (finely minced (optional))
Instructions
- If using regular yogurt: Fold cheese cloth into 6 layers and place over sieve. Place sieve layered with cheese cloth over a bowl allowing 2 inch space below sieve to collect excess liquid without touching bottom.
- Scoop yogurt into cheese cloth and wrap cheese cloth around yogurt. Cover all with plastic wrap. Allow to sit in refrigerator over night until liquid had drained from yogurt.
- Scrape yogurt with rubber spatula from cheese cloth into non-metal bowl.
- Peel cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise Using a teaspoon, scoop out seeds. Discard seeds. Cut each half into 6 fairly even slices lengthwise. Cut crosswise to make approximately ¼ to ½ inch dices.
- Stir in remaining ingredient and let flavors meld in refrigerator for 2 or more hours. Adjust seasoning if needed
Notes
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Until next time, happy eating.
~Audrey
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
Audrey, I like the way you make it -- thick and no garlic. Looks so refreshing. Now's the perfect time for me to make it.
Audrey@That Recipe
I like tzatziki too. But the garlic can be overpowering with some dishes. This is a bit lighter and great for almost anything in the summer.
Winnie
It's a wonderful summer soup 🙂 I like it!!
Thanks for the party Audrey and for this recipe
Audrey@That Recipe
Thanks, Winnie!
Marlys (This and That)
This cucumber dish sounds like the something that I ate in Sweden with dill. I am going to give it a try and see if it is similar... Pinned.
Audrey
Thanks, Marlys. I appreciate your support.
Lou Lou Girls
Hello beautiful! Thank you for hosting such an amazing party! Please take a minute to stop by ours and let us pin and tweet your masterpieces! Lou Lou Girls
Audrey@That Recipe
Thanks for partying with us every week.
Sarah Eliza @ devastateboredom
Oooh fun! I will be sure to come play next week. 🙂
Audrey@That Recipe
Thanks, Sarah! I really enjoy your link up too (but I only participate from my other site since this is only food)
Lorelai @ Life With Lorleai
What an interesting dish. I love learning about international recipes, so fascinating. Thanks for sharing and being a wonderful co-host of the #HomeMattersParty - we love having you on the team! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Audrey
Thanks, Lorelai. I do love to Party!
Sarena @ Teal Inspiration
This looks delicious. I've had similar dishes but not exactly like this one. I'll have to try it! Great to be co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you!
Audrey
There are so many variations depending on the region. And all are equally delicious in my opinion.
Kathy
Looks good. I'd like to try this. Thank you for sharing at the Recipe Swap.
Audrey
Glad you like it, Kathy.
Kim~madeinaday
I think I have had this as a salad! We are so excited that you linked up to Merry Monday this week! Sharing your post today on our MM Pinterest Board. Come back next Monday for another great party share! Party opens Sunday night! Have a great week!
Best,
Kim
Audrey
Thanks, Kim. I look forward to Merry Mondays, so much fun stuff every week.
Shann Eva
Yum. This looks wonderful! So glad to be hosting #HomeMattersParty with you this week!
Audrey
Thanks for stopping by!
Lynn Spencer
Audrey, I make tzatziki which is very similar but I have never added mint to it. My garden is bursting with mint right now, as well as cucumbers, so this will be on the menu very soon.
Thanks for sharing this 'oldie but goodie' from your archives and hope to see you again this week.
Have a great day, Lynn