Georgian · appetizer
Spinach Walnut Balls (Pkhali)
Spinach Walnut Balls (Pkhali) reads nutty 5.2, allium 4.6 and fruity 4.6 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Georgian appetizer, about 1 hr 20 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 3.0 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 5.7 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 4.5 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 3.3 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 6.4 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 5.1 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Nutty 5.2 · Allium 4.6 · Fruity 4.6 · Sourness 4.3 · Richness 3.9 · Sweetness 3.7 · Earthy 3.0 · Floral 2.9 · Salinity 2.8 · Herbaceous 2.5 · Bitterness 2.2 · Umami 1.8 · Warm Spice 1.0 · Citrus 0.7
What's in it (10)
- 1 lb spinach (or beetroot, green beans
- 1 cup walnuts
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 small onion, grated
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp fenugreek
- 1 tsp dried marigold petals
- salt to taste
- 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds for garnish
Time & effort: about 1 hr 20 min (20 min active) · effort: medium
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 218.9 kcal, 6.7 g protein, 19.3 g fat, 8.9 g carbs
Dietary: Vegan — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (4 steps)
- Blanch and thoroughly squeeze dry the chosen vegetable, then chop finely.
- Combine with ground walnuts, garlic, onion, vinegar, and spices and knead the mixture until it holds together.
- Roll into small balls the size of a walnut and press a pomegranate seed into the top of each.
- Serve chilled on a platter.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Cheese and Herb Salad (Nigvziani Kombosto) — Georgian
- Zeytin Piyazı (Olive, Walnut and Pomegranate Molasses Salad) — Turkish
- Walnut-Stuffed Eggplant (Badrijani Nigvzit) — Georgian
- Fesenjan (Pomegranate Walnut Stew) — Persian
- Ajoblanco de Málaga con Uvas — Spanish · Andalusia
Keep reading: what nutty, allium, fruity mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.