Zeama

Zeama

Zeamă (ZEH-ah-muh)

Chicken Sour Soup

Prep Time 1 hour 30 min
📈 Difficulty Medium
👥 Servings
6
🔥 Calories 316 kcal

A light, nourishing chicken broth soup with homemade noodles, finished with a generous squeeze of lemon juice that gives it the characteristic sour tang beloved across Moldova.

Nutrition & Info

320 kcal per serving
Protein 28.0g
Carbs 24.0g
Fat 12.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

large stockpot cutting board rolling pin

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep ceramic bowl

Garnishes: fresh lovage, lemon wedge

Accompaniments: crusty bread, hot peppers

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place whole chicken in a large pot with cold water. Bring to a boil, skim foam, then reduce heat and simmer gently for one hour.

  2. 2

    Add carrots, onion, celery, and parsnip to the broth. Continue simmering for twenty minutes until vegetables are tender.

  3. 3

    Remove chicken, shred the meat, and return it to the pot. Discard skin and bones.

  4. 4

    Add homemade egg noodles and cook for five minutes until tender but still firm.

  5. 5

    Beat the egg with lemon juice. Temper by slowly adding a ladle of hot broth while whisking, then stir the mixture back into the pot.

  6. 6

    Add chopped lovage and parsley. Adjust salt and pepper. Serve immediately while piping hot.

💡

Did You Know?

Zeama is considered the ultimate Moldovan hangover cure and is traditionally served the morning after weddings and large celebrations.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • large stockpot
  • cutting board
  • rolling pin

Garnishing

fresh lovage, lemon wedge

Accompaniments

crusty bread, hot peppers

The Story Behind Zeama

Zeama is arguably Moldova's most important soup, tracing its roots to medieval peasant cooking where every household raised chickens. The distinctive sour flavor from lemon juice or bors (fermented wheat bran liquid) sets it apart from other Eastern European chicken soups. Every Moldovan grandmother has her own closely guarded recipe, and the soup is so culturally significant that a meal without zeama is considered incomplete in traditional households.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, especially after celebrations 📜 Origins: Medieval Moldovan

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