Salatet Jarjir — Wild-style arugula tossed with toasted walnuts, fresh pomegranate, shaved Parmesan optional
سلطة جرجير

Salatet Jarjir

Mount Lebanon · Levantine
✓ Tested in Faten's kitchen

Wild-style arugula tossed with toasted walnuts, fresh pomegranate, shaved Parmesan optional — dressed in nothing more than lemon and good olive oil, letting the peppery rocket carry the entire salad.

⏱ 10 min🍽 4 servings📍 Mount Lebanon

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Ingredients

Method

  1. Toast walnut halves in a dry pan over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, shaking constantly, until fragrant. Cool and roughly break apart.
  2. Wash and dry arugula thoroughly — water on the leaves dilutes the dressing.
  3. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a small bowl and whisk briefly.
  4. Toss arugula with dressing in a large bowl.
  5. Transfer to a serving plate. Scatter walnuts and pomegranate arils over the top.
  6. If using Parmesan, add thin shavings at this stage.
  7. Finish with a thin drizzle of pomegranate molasses — just enough to add a fruity depth without sweetening the salad.

The story

Jarjir (arugula/rocket) grows wild across Lebanon's mountain regions and has been eaten raw since antiquity. The modern salad version — with walnuts and pomegranate — is a restaurant refinement of the simple wild green that mountain families ate straight from the ground with bread and salt. Lebanese-French diaspora in Paris, where rocket salad is a bistro staple, have claimed salatet jarjir as a natural bridge between their two food cultures, serving it as a first course at Lebanese-French dinner parties without the dish feeling foreign on either side.

Frequently asked questions

What is Salatet Jarjir?

Wild-style arugula tossed with toasted walnuts, fresh pomegranate, shaved Parmesan optional — dressed in nothing more than lemon and good olive oil, letting the peppery rocket carry the entire salad.

Where is Salatet Jarjir from?

Salatet Jarjir comes from Mount Lebanon. Sofra documents this recipe as part of its 214-recipe Lebanese and Syrian heritage collection, including 49 dishes from Idlib province.

Is Salatet Jarjir vegetarian?

As written, Salatet Jarjir contains no meat or fish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. It does include dairy or other animal-derived ingredients, so it is not vegan. Check the full ingredient list against your own dietary needs.

What can I use instead of parmesan shavings in Salatet Jarjir?

The parmesan shavings called for here is part of the traditional recipe and gives Salatet Jarjir 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 Salatet Jarjir?

In a Levantine salads spread, Salatet Jarjir is served as a fresh side to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or a mezze spread, and pairs well with warm bread.

Can I make Salatet Jarjir 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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