Szug Pesto from Yemen
Dive into the bold and aromatic flavors of the Middle East with Szug Pesto, a vibrant Yemeni condiment that’s bursting with fresh herbs and spices. This zesty green sauce combines a trio of cilantro, parsley, and mint with fiery green chilies, garlic, and the earthy warmth of cumin, coriander, and cardamom. Finished with bright lemon juice and silky olive oil, it achieves a perfect balance of heat, freshness, and tanginess. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, Szug is a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire—drizzle it over grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or flatbreads, or use it as a dip to elevate your favorite dishes. Perfect for spice lovers and fans of global cuisine, this easy homemade recipe will transport your taste buds to the heart of Yemen!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh cilantro
- 1 cup Fresh parsley
- 0.5 cup Fresh mint
- 3 pieces Green chili peppers (e.g. serrano or jalapeño)
- 4 pieces Garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 2 tablespoons Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 0.5 cup Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Water (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
Thoroughly wash and dry the fresh cilantro, parsley, and mint. Remove any tough stems.
Slice the green chili peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds for a milder sauce, or leave them in for extra heat. Roughly chop the chilies for easier blending.
Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves.
In a food processor, combine the cilantro, parsley, mint, green chilies, and garlic. Pulse until the mixture is roughly chopped.
Add the ground cumin, coriander, cardamom, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil to the food processor.
Blend until the mixture reaches a pesto-like consistency. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to thin it out.
Taste the Szug and adjust the seasoning if necessary—adding more salt, lemon juice, or chili for your preference.
Transfer the Szug to a clean jar or airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
186 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.6 g | 24% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.7 g | 13% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 340 mg | 15% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 5.7 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g | ||
| Protein | 1.5 g | 3% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 94 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 3.8 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 258 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
