Cucumber and Tomato Soup (Ciorbă)

Ingredients

• 1 kg cucumbers
• 2 kg tomatoes
• 3.5 garlic (3-4 cloves)
• 2 onions
• olive oil (for sautéing)
• salt (to taste)
• 1.5 tbsp sour cream (1-2 tablespoons)

Steps

1. 1

   Sauté the chopped onions in olive oil until softened.

2. 2

   Slice the cucumbers into rounds thinner than half a centimeter (but not too small).

3. 3

   Add the cucumbers to the pan with the onions and sauté; they will release their juices.

4. 4

   Chop the tomatoes into smaller pieces than the cucumbers (this helps the skins break down and integrate better during cooking).

5. 5

   Add a little salt and simmer over low heat until the cucumbers become slightly translucent.

6. 6

   Stir in the minced garlic and one or two tablespoons of sour cream before serving.

Notes

The recipe is described as a 'Summer Delicacy'. The technique of cutting tomatoes smaller than the cucumbers is specifically mentioned to ensure the skins integrate well into the soup.

Nutrition per serving

• soup
• summer
• vegetarian
• Romanian
• ciorbă
• healthy