Tzatziki Sauce

17/11/2023

Tzatziki sauce is a refreshing and creamy side dish typical of Greek cuisine. However, I can’t help but suggest an Italian twist to enrich the traditional recipe. Here’s how to prepare the tzatziki sauce:

Ingredients

500 g of whole Greek yogurt
1 medium-sized cucumber
2 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
The juice of half a lemon
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
(Optional) Fresh mint or dill for an Italian touch

Preparation

Start by grating the cucumber after having washed it well. You can choose to peel it if you prefer a less bitter flavor.
Place the grated cucumber in a colander, sprinkle with a little salt and let it drain for about 30 minutes to remove excess water. This step is important to achieve a creamy and not watery sauce consistency.
In the meantime, peel and finely chop the garlic cloves or crush them with a garlic press.
In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, chopped garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Mix well to blend the ingredients.
Squeeze the grated cucumber to eliminate any remaining water and add it to the yogurt.
Season with salt and pepper and mix well once again.
For an Italian touch, add some chopped fresh mint or dill, which pair very well with the flavors of the sauce.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the tzatziki sauce for at least one hour before serving, so that the flavors can meld together.

This sauce is perfect for accompanying grilled meats or as a dip for raw vegetables. It can also be spread on warm pita bread for a quick and tasty appetizer. Tzatziki is versatile and the Italian herbal touch makes it even fresher and more suitable for summer.

Curiosity

Despite its Greek origins, tzatziki sauce has different versions in several Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, with slight variations in the seasonings. While mint or dill are quite common in the traditional recipe, the addition of extra virgin olive oil is a clear sign of Italianization and can give the dish a distinctive softness and flavor.