Gremolata: A Classic Italian Condiment
Sauces
Ingredients
1 bunch Italian flat-leaf parsley
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Steps to Make It
Gather the ingredients.
Wash and thoroughly dry the parsley.
Remove the leaves and finely mince them using a sharp knife until you have about 2 tablespoons worth.
Finely mince the garlic.
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper.
To help release all of the flavors, pound the ingredients together with a mortar and pestle or use the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass.
Serve as a garnish on meat or fish and enjoy.
Recipe Variations
With the addition of a decent amount of good olive oil, this gremolata becomes a terrific marinade.
Adding both olive oil and a splash of flavored vinegar will turn the condiment into a refreshing salad dressing.
Gremolata is a lot like pesto, and just as there are variations of pesto, you can get creative with your gremolata as well. Try substituting different greens for the parsley, like basil, cilantro, mint, or spinach. Some chopped scallions, ground peanuts, or even fresh horseradish can flavor the condiment in different ways.
Notes
Since the garlic is eaten raw, it's important that you use the freshest possible. Make sure it is not sprouted, yellowed, or browning. The clove should be firm and free of any soft spots.
It's important that the parsley is completely dry before chopping. To quickly dry the herb, shake the leaves, and then roll the parsley in a paper towel. Let it sit for a minute or two to absorb the water.
When zesting citrus, make sure to only remove the colorful outer skin and not the white layer underneath. The white pith is bitter tasting and will ruin the dish.
If you prefer finer pieces of garlic, you can use a microplane or grater instead of mincing with a knife. Do this before zesting the lemon, so the lemon "cleans away" any garlic smell from the tool.
Nutrition
(per serving)
1 Calories 0g Fat 0g Carbs 0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 1
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 53mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 7%
Calcium 3mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 7mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.