Traditional fasting dishes from Georgia ideally suited for vegans

The Georgian cuisine has a lot to offer, not only for meat lovers, but for vegetarians and even vegans likewise. Given all the popular meal dishes in Georgia like Mtsvadi, Khinkali, or Kharcho, it may come to you as a surprise that there is a lot of traditional vegan food too. The reason for it is the Orthodox Church. Actually believers should fasten on Wednesday and Friday, says the Orthodox Church. That means no meat, including poultry, fish, eggs, nor dairy products like milk, butter and cheese. Here we present you some of the vegan friendly Georgian dishes. 

LOBIO

This popular dish made of kidney beans is not necessarily served hot, but always spicy. The beans are cooked and then mashed with garlic, onions, walnuts, coriander, marigold petals, chili pepper and vinegar. Traditionally, Lobio is served in a clay pot.

ADJARILI

Usually, the Georgian bean pie looks like a thicker pizza without any toppings, but with a delicious bean filling. However, since the boat-shaped Adjaruli khacahpuri has become so popular, Georgian chefs have invented different variations of it with beans, spinach or other vegetables.

OAT CUTLETS

This tasty dish is the perfect meat substitute. And the good thing is that it is served in most cafeterias and lunch places in Tbilisi. Hard to believe that its main ingredient is actually oat. Oat cutlets exist in other cultures such as the Indian cuisine as well. In Georgia they are called ‘Hercules’.

MUSHROOM KHINKALI

Unbelievable that something made of nothing more than flour, salt, water, mushrooms, onions and some herbs can taste so delicious. Most restaurants in Tbilisi serve different variations of the traditional Georgian dish khinkali. One of them is with mushrooms.

TOLMA

This popular dish exists also in many other countries. In Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey it goes under the name of Dolma. But no matter how you call it, the principle is always the same: Rolled cabbage, vine leaves or just pepper stuffed with whatever you like. For vegans, is recommended.