Taramasalata
Taramasalata or taramosalata (Greek: ταραμοσαλάτα, from taramas, from Turkish: tarama 'fish roe' + salata "salad") is a Greek and Turkish meze made from tarama, the salted and cured roe of the cod, carp, or grey mullet mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, and a starchy base of bread or potatoes, or sometimes almonds. Variants may include garlic, spring onions, or peppers, or vinegar instead of lemon juice.
Taramosalata is usually eaten as a meze, a dip for bread or raw vegetables. The color can vary from creamy beige to pink, depending on the type of roe used. Most tarama in commerce is dyed pink.
Mass-produced prepared taramasalata is often a bright pink due to the addition of food coloring and low-cost ingredients. This type of taramosalata is a cheap alternative to the original, often containing only small quantities of roe and various fillers.
In Greece, taramasalata is associated with Clean Monday (Καθαρά Δευτέρα, Kathará Deutéra), the first day of Great Lent.
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