Sonia Tashjian’s QEMENE BRTUJ – Kololak with Potato – a Lenten Recipe

Just in time for Lent, Sonia Tashjian sent me several
recipes which I will post from time to time, so please keep checking back.

The first is her recipe for QEMENE BRTUJ – Kololak (or
kufteh) with Potato.

As Sonia explains, “This kololak recipe is specific for
Musa Ler’s (Musa Dagh) traditional cuisine. They call it “brtuj” which means a bite or a
chunk.  It is a very simple, everyday
food – and- it is very suitable for Lent.”

Sonia continued by saying, “In various Armenian regions, there are several words referring to ‘KUFTEH’, or the shape of the
food: klor=kleyor(Zeytun); klulik = klur (Musa Ler); klorchik (Mush); kleo’r
(Kessab), etc.”

I present …
Photo courtesy of Sonia Tashjian

Sonia Tashjian’s QEMENE BRTUJ – Kololak with Potato

 Ingredients:
 2 medium potatoes
 1 cup fine (#1) bulghur
 1 medium onion,
finely chopped
 2 medium tomatoes,
finely chopped
 1 medium red bell pepper,
finely chopped
 ½ cup parsley,
finely chopped
 2 to 3 Tbsp. oil
 cumin, pepper, salt
to taste

 Preparation:

 -Cook & mash the
potatoes; combine the bulghur & knead while the potato is hot; wet your
hands, if needed.


 NOTE: If you
desire, you can fry the onion before adding it to the next step. Some people also
use chopped green onions (scallions).


  -When the bulghur
is already softened, add the finely chopped vegetables, seasonings, and oil. Continue
to knead, then shape them with your palm to resemble small sausages.


 NOTE: In
wintertime, instead of fresh tomato & pepper, tomato paste and red pepper
paste are used.


 -Serve with pickled
vegetables (tourshi), radish & cabbage salad. Tahn is also delicious with
it.
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