Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova

Where I come from, chicken soup with noodles is also called 'Zeama/Zama' and traditionally the day after the wedding is called 'La Bors' or 'La Zama'. This is because it's tradition to serve a big bowl of sour and savoury chicken soup before all the other courses. 

I'm not trying to show off, but this chicken soup is one of my best recipes, exactly as you see it below or in the video. Egg drops or other vegetables can be added to it, but I like it classic and simple and I can tell you it's very tasty.

Ingredients
Chicken
1.5 kg
mine was a small, home raised chicken
Bell pepper
1 piece
Celery root
1 piece
a small one or a piece of a bigger one
Parsnip
1 piece
White onion
2 pieces
Carrots
2 pieces
Potatoes
2 pieces
Laurel leaves
2 pieces
Fresh parsley
1 piece
1 bunch
Borsch/Lemon juice
300 ml
to taste
Salt
2 tbsp
to taste
Milk
100 g
Homemade noodles
150 g
see the recipe on my website
Step by step
Step 1

Wash the chicken thoroughly, cut in pieces of medium size.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 1
Step 2

We prepare the first set of veggies, the ones meant to give the flavour:

-a carrot, half a pepper, onion, celery root, parsley and parsnip 

The more varied the veggies are, the better, so the soup is tastier and more savoury.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 2
Step 3

Place chicken covered well with water in a 5 litre cooking pot over heat.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 3
Step 4

When it comes to the boil, skim off any scum using a spoon or a skimmer.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 4
Step 5

Add the veggies we prepared earlier and a bay leaf.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 5
Step 6

Turn the heat to low and simmer for 1-2 hours until chicken is cooked through. 

If you are using store-bought or even home raised chicken, 1 hour will be enough, but a hen or a rooster will need more time to boil until completely cooked.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 6
Step 7

After this time, remove the veggies from the soup, they did their job.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 7
Step 8

Dice the rest of the vegetables - the potatoes, 1 carrot and half a pepper.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 8
Step 9

Finely chop the parsley leaves.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 9
Step 10

And the onion. 

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 10
Step 11

Tip the diced carrots, potatoes and pepper into the soup pot. Turn the heat to low and boil for 15-20 minutes.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 11
Step 12

After this time, add the noodles, mix well and boil for 7-10 minutes, depending on how thick they are.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 12
Step 13

Add 'bors' (fermented wheat bran) to taste.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 13
Step 14

Add salt to taste. 

Stir well and boil for 5 minutes more.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 14
Step 15

At the end, stir in the chopped parsley and onion. Yes, it's not a mistake, I always add the onion at the end, it's raw and it gives a special taste to the soup. 

Boil for no more than 10 seconds. It's a tip I know from my grandma.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 15
Step 16

Now turn off the heat.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 16
Step 17

Put the lid on and let stay for 15-30 minutes for the flavours to blend. 

Besides parsley, lovage can also be added, I like it without, but this is simply my personal taste.

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 17
Step 18

Serve hot or warm, optionally with dollops of sour cream and cilli pepper. 

Enjoy!

Zeama, traditional chicken soup from Moldova - Step 18
Quantity: 5 l (10 servings)
Prep time:
30 min
Difficulty: intermediate
Ready in: 120 min