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A close up of a plate of ezme turkish salsa on a plate with a spoon.
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Ezme (Spicy Turkish Salad)

Hailing from southern Türkiye, Ezme is a much loved spread that is served in kebab houses throughout Turkey and beyond. With a touch of red pepper paste, tomato paste, and extra virgin olive oil, these simple fresh ingredients produce a surprisingly complex flavor.
Cook Time15 minutes
Resting Time (optional)1 hour
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Condiment, Sauce/Dip
Cuisine: Turkish
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 to 6
Author: Ozlem Warren

Ingredients

  • 1 small white or yellow onion, very finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Turkish red pepper paste (biber salçası, see note)
  • 1 tablespoon double concentrated tomato paste
  • 4 medium ripe tomatoes, halved, seeds removed and very finely chopped
  • 2-3 small hot green peppers, like serrano or jalapeno, seeds removed and very finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped walnuts

Instructions

  • Soften and flavor the onion. To a large mixing bowl, add the onion, red pepper paste, and tomato paste. Use your hands to knead and mix them well so that the paste infuses to the onions.
  • Mix the salad. Stir in the tomatoes, peppers, parsley and mint. Combine well with your hands for the flavors to infuse. Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over, season with salt and pepper to taste, and give them all a good mix. Cover and keep in the fridge until serving. It would be best if you can let the Ezme sit for an hour or so before serving; this will help the flavors mingle and settle.
  • Finish and serve. To give this spread a more modern twist, I like to sprinkle a few crushed walnuts over Ezme when serving. Afiyet Olsun.

Notes

  • Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil used in this recipe.
  • Store, covered in your refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
  • You can substitute the Turkish red pepper paste with more tomato paste, make it yourself, or find it at Middle Eastern markets or online.

Nutrition

Calories: 142.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.7g | Protein: 2.9g | Fat: 10.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.6g | Sodium: 73.7mg | Potassium: 498.8mg | Fiber: 3.4g | Sugar: 6.2g | Vitamin A: 1595.6IU | Vitamin C: 41.5mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1.2mg

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