Sharena sol (шарена сол), which means “colourful salt”, is a cornerstone in Bulgarian cuisine. According to Kashkaval Tourist: a tourism blog about Bulgaria & the Balkans, sharena sol is “without a doubt the most popular spice mix in Bulgaria and a feature in practically every Bulgarian spice rack.”
Just like Indian garam masala, sharena sol varies based on who makes it. Your mom might make it different than my mom or your friend’s grandmother or your boyfriend’s father. But that’s the beauty of spice blends, right? 🙂
At its core, Sharena Sol is a blend of salt, paprika, and dried savory (chubritsa). However, this is also combined with smaller quantities of dried fenugreek leaves, dried spearmint, and a variety of other herbs, including thyme, dill, parsley, basil, oregano and/or rosemary. People also add chili pepper and black pepper, garlic, and even ground almonds, pumpkin seeds, or maize. If using nuts or seeds, they must first be dry roasted, cooled, and then ground.
Sharena Sol as a final product must be finely ground and thoroughly mixed. It can then be used as seasoning on freshly baked bread and other pastries. It’s egg-cellent with any kind of egg—omelets, deviled eggs, scrambled, etc. It can be added to soups, as well as mashed potatoes and french fries, and vegetables! Enjoy the amazing flavor and aroma Sharena Sol can bring to any dish!
