✓ Tested in Faten's kitchen
Simple lamb kofta simmered in a pure sour cherry and pomegranate sauce — the weeknight version of the great Kibbeh Halabi. Fewer steps, no shell-forming, but the same essential flavor logic: savory lamb against bracingly tart cherry.
⏱ 55 min🍽 4 servings📍 Idlib
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The story
In Idlib kitchens, the sour cherry season dictates the calendar of a subset of dishes that appear nowhere else in Arab cooking. Kofta bil Karaz is the everyday version of the grand kibbeh halabi karaz — made on a Tuesday when the cherries are ripe, eaten with rice and pickled vegetables. The sour cherry orchards between Idlib city and Harem have supplied this cooking tradition for centuries; families preserve cherries in their own juice every June so the dish can be made year-round. Unlike Lebanese kofta dishes (which use tomato, tahini, or lemon), this northern Syrian preparation has no equivalent in the southern Levant. The pomegranate molasses is not decorative — it extends and deepens the cherry sourness, bridging fresh and fermented flavor.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce?
Simple lamb kofta simmered in a pure sour cherry and pomegranate sauce — the weeknight version of the great Kibbeh Halabi. Fewer steps, no shell-forming, but the same essential flavor logic: savory lamb against bracingly tart cherry.
Where is Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce from?
Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce comes from Idlib. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.
Is Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce vegetarian?
No — as written, Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce includes meat, fish, or meat-based stock, so it is not vegetarian. See the ingredient list for the specific ingredients used.
What can I use instead of ground allspice in Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce?
The ground allspice called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce its traditional character, so keep it if you can. If you must substitute, choose the closest equivalent you have on hand and adjust to taste — the dish will shift slightly from the traditional version but still work. The Sofra app lists the full ingredient set and sourcing notes.
What do I serve with Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce?
In a Levantine mains spread, Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce is typically served with rice or warm flatbread, a simple salad such as fattoush or tabbouleh, and pickles or yogurt on the side.
Can I make Lamb Meatballs with Sour Cherry Sauce ahead, and how do I store leftovers?
Yes — leftovers keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Reheat gently (or bring to room temperature for cold dishes) and taste to adjust seasoning before serving. Dishes with fresh herbs or dressing are freshest the day they are made.
Hear every step read aloud
Step-by-step audio narration (text-to-speech) guides you hands-free. Charbel Rouhana's original oud plays during Cooking Mode.
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