Grandma's čalamáda without canning: the best side dish for schnitzel and on bread

Name: Grandma's čalamáda without canning: the best side dish for schnitzel and on bread
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 15
Ingredients: 2,5 kg hlávkového zelí; 1 kg papriky (barevná kombinace doporučena); 0,5 kg cibule; 0,5 kg mrkve; 150 g krystalového cukru; 500 ml octa; 100 ml rostlinného oleje; nakládaná nebo čerstvá okurka; pálivá paprika podle chuti

Easy to prepare
15 portions
30 minutes

Jan, 21. 12. 2025

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Homemade čalamáda without cooking and canning? This grandma’s recipe is one of the treasures of traditional cooking. It’s simple, quick and the result tastes like a refreshing cabbage salad. This čalamáda is a great side not only for meat, but also works on bread or as a healthy snack. At our house it never lasts long!

For 15 portions

Ingredients

2,5 kg hlávkového zelí
1 kg papriky (barevná kombinace doporučena)
0,5 kg cibule
0,5 kg mrkve
150 g krystalového cukru
500 ml octa
100 ml rostlinného oleje

Volitelné suroviny:

nakládaná nebo čerstvá okurka
pálivá paprika podle chuti

Preparation procedure

Thoroughly wash the cabbage, pepper, carrot and onion and grate them into fine strips. If you want to add cucumber or hot pepper, prepare them the same way.
Prepare the dressing: mix the sugar, vinegar and oil. You can strain it through a sieve (for example if using a ready-made mix like deko – without mustard seeds).
Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture. Mix everything thoroughly so the flavor is evenly distributed.
Let rest for 24 hours at room temperature, covered or in a closed container.
The next day fill the jars including the juice. Do not sterilize! Just seal and store in a cool place (refrigerator or cool cellar).

Total preparation time:

Active preparation: approx. 30 minutes
Resting: 24 hours
Total: approximately 24.5 hours

Number of servings:

approx. 15 jars (smaller 250–300 ml)

Conclusion:

Grandma’s čalamáda is proof that beauty lies in simplicity. Without preservatives, without cooking and yet so delicious that you’ll make it again and again. Ideal with any main dish, great even just on bread. And most importantly – thanks to the vinegar and sugar it will last several months, unless you eat it right away!

Try this family recipe and you’ll see that one batch at home won’t be enough.