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.