Khinkali

Khinkali are Georgian dumplings. They’re one of Georgia’s most popular foods and are said to have arrived with the Mongol invasions, though perhaps not in their present form. No supra would be complete without a platter of steaming khinkali being served towards the end of the meal. They make a warming complement to the feast’s complex flavours and each diner usually eats just a few of them, depending on the size. Despite being available throughout the country, khinkali are still associated with the high mountain areas where they originated. In Kazbegi, they’re likely to be filled with spiced meat and their broth, while in Tusheti they’re mostly stuffed with cheese, potato or a mixture of both. Smaller versions are made in Samtskhe-Javakheti (see p. 220).