lõhega

Lõhega is an Estonian expression formed from lõhe (salmon) and the comitative suffix -ga, meaning “with salmon.” It is used to indicate that salmon is an ingredient or accompaniment in a dish, sauce, or product description. In menus and recipes, lõhega signals that the dish is prepared with salmon or served with salmon.

In grammar, -ga attaches to a noun to express accompaniment or instrument. It is commonly translated as "with" in English. Examples include "lõhega salat" (salad with salmon), "lõhega pasta" (pasta with salmon), and "lõhega supp" (soup with salmon). The form functions as a post-nominal modifier and can be used with various foods and products to denote inclusion of salmon.

Usage and context: Salmon features prominently in Estonian cuisine, especially along the Baltic coast. Lõhega is frequently found in restaurant menus and grocery product descriptions to indicate salmon-containing items, such as salads, pastas, or side dishes. Typical flavor pairings in Estonian dishes include dill, lemon, cream, and potatoes, which are commonly combined with salmon and may appear in formulations described as lõhega.

See also: Estonian language, comitative suffix -ga.