Salona

Name: Salona
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Emirati
Ingredients: 2 potatoes, cubed; 1 eggplant, cubed; 2 zucchini, sliced; 1 carrot, diced; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 dried limes (loomi); 2 tsp bezar spice blend; 1 tsp turmeric; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 3 cups water; Salt and pepper; Fresh coriander

صالونة (sah-LOH-nah)

Emirati Vegetable Curry Stew

⏱ Prep Time 45 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 292 kcal

A warming one-pot stew of mixed vegetables simmered in a tomato-based broth fragrant with bezar, turmeric, and dried lime. The everyday comfort food of Emirati homes.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 8.0g

Carbs 38.0g

Fat 12.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon cutting board

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep serving bowl

Garnishes: fresh coriander, lemon wedge

Accompaniments: steamed basmati rice, flatbread

Ingredients

2 potatoes, cubed
1 eggplant, cubed
2 zucchini, sliced
1 carrot, diced
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 dried limes (loomi)
2 tsp bezar spice blend
1 tsp turmeric
3 tbsp vegetable oil
3 cups water
Salt and pepper
Fresh coriander

Instructions

1
Heat oil and saute onion until golden. Add garlic, bezar, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute.
2
Add tomato paste and fresh tomatoes. Cook until tomatoes break down, about 5 minutes.
3
Add all vegetables and dried limes. Pour in water. Season with salt and pepper.
4
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered 25-30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
5
Adjust seasoning and garnish with fresh coriander. Serve over steamed rice.

💡

Did You Know?

Every Emirati family has their own salona recipe, and children often say their mother's version is the best in the country.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
wooden spoon
cutting board

Garnishing

fresh coriander, lemon wedge

Accompaniments

steamed basmati rice, flatbread

The Story Behind Salona

Salona shows the influence of Indian cuisine on Emirati cooking, brought through centuries of trade across the Arabian Sea. The word itself derives from the English "saloon" via colonial contact. However, Emirati cooks adapted the concept with their own spice blends and dried lime, creating a distinctively Gulf dish. Salona is the daily comfort food of the UAE, a simple and nourishing stew that every Emirati grandmother prepares from memory.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed daily lunch 📜 Origins: Indian-Gulf trade influence

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