Gazpacho, a cold tomato soup originating from Spain, is an emblematic dish of Mediterranean cuisine that has conquered taste buds worldwide. This delicious and refreshing preparation has transcended borders. Combined with its humble origin, it has given rise to a variety of variations and similar recipes in different countries. Today, we want to explore all those versions or variations of gazpacho originating from other countries around the world and from different cultures.
As you may recall, the origin of gazpacho dates back centuries in history. However, for it to be the exact recipe we know today, with tomatoes and peppers, we would have to wait for these ingredients to be brought from the New World, which happened in the 16th century.
However, many centuries before, we already found preparations in the Iberian Peninsula that were called gazpacho. It was a term used for any dish whose base was a mixture of crumbled bread, oil, vinegar, and garlic, created to soften stale bread from previous days.
We can find combinations like this as far back as the 1st century in the Iberian Peninsula.
This ancient recipe and its humble origin favor the existence of dishes that share their history with gazpacho in many corners of the world. Let’s take a look at them:
Gazpacho Around the World
Also in Spain, Salmorejo
You don’t need to leave the peninsula to find a version closely related to gazpacho. We’re talking about salmorejo, a dish very popular in Spanish gastronomy, just like gazpacho. Originally from the region of Cordoba, this dish is similar to gazpacho but has a thicker and creamier texture. Salmorejo is made with ripe tomatoes, bread, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. It is usually served with pieces of Serrano ham and chopped hard-boiled eggs on top. It is an ideal option to enjoy during the hot summer days in Spain.
In Bulgaria, Tarator
Let’s travel to Eastern Europe to discover tarator, a cold yogurt soup that resembles gazpacho. This Bulgarian delight is made with yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, crushed walnuts, olive oil, and water. It is usually seasoned with fresh dill and served well chilled. Tarator is a refreshing and nutritious option that perfectly complements the warm climate of Bulgaria.
Even in the United States, we find versions of Gazpacho, such as Cucumber Soup
In the United States, gazpacho has also given rise to its own variant known as Cucumber Soup. This version focuses on cucumber as the main ingredient, combined with yogurt, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs such as dill or mint. The soup is served cold and is a light and refreshing option.
In Denmark, Koldskål
In Northern Europe, specifically in Denmark, we find koldskål, a cold and sweet soup that resembles gazpacho. Although it is a sweet version and is accompanied by biscuits instead of fried bread, it is a similar recipe to gazpacho. Koldskål is made with buttermilk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla, and is usually served with small pieces of vanilla cookies called kammerjunkere. Koldskål is a fresh and traditional dessert consumed especially during the summer months in Denmark.
Okroshka, in Russia
In Russia, we find a variation of gazpacho called okroshka. This cold soup is made with kefir, mineral water, fresh cucumbers, radishes, hard-boiled eggs, and dill. Sometimes cooked beef or chicken is added. Okroshka is a popular dish during the summer months in Russia, and its refreshing and nutritious taste makes it an ideal option to combat the heat.
In South Korea, we also find its own version of Gazpacho, Mool Naengmyeon
In Korean cuisine, we find mool naengmyeon, a cold variant of gazpacho that consists of buckwheat noodles served in a cold broth made of vinegar and beef stock. It is usually garnished with cucumber slices, radish, hard-boiled egg, and finely sliced beef. This cold soup is a popular dish during hot summers in South Korea and provides a refreshing and flavorful experience.
Chilled Tomato Soup, in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, we find its own version of gazpacho called Chilled Tomato Soup. This variant uses ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs such as basil or cilantro. The soup is served chilled and garnished with crispy bread pieces or croutons. It is a perfect option for hot summer days and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a light main course.
And we end in Spain as well, with Ajoblanco
Returning to Spain, we find another interesting variant of gazpacho called ajoblanco. Originating from Andalusia, this dish differs from traditional gazpacho in that it does not contain tomatoes. Instead, it is made with ground almonds, garlic, bread, olive oil, vinegar, and water. The result is a white and creamy soup that is served cold and garnished with grapes or melon. Ajoblanco is an ideal option for those looking for a different but equally delicious version of gazpacho.
As you can see, there are different gazpacho recipes from around the world. These unique variations are typical of different cuisines but share many characteristics with our traditional gazpacho.
If you liked it, remember to leave us your comments, ideas, tips… We love hearing from you! You can also follow us on social media to stay updated on all our publications. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
