Acılı Ezme (Spicy Turkish Tomato and Pepper Salad)
In short: A finely chopped, juicy meze of tomato, onion, hot pepper and parsley, brightened with pomegranate molasses, sumac and olive oil. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 115 kcal
Acılı ezme is the red, spicy relish that arrives with every kebab and lahmacun. Tomatoes, onion, peppers and parsley are chopped very fine and tossed with pepper paste, sumac, lemon and pomegranate molasses, so the result is sweet, sour and hot all at once. It sits somewhere between a salad and a salsa, and people spoon it onto bread, meat or anything else on the table. Make it a few hours ahead.
Instructions
- Sprinkle the chopped onion with the sumac and a pinch of salt and rub it with your fingers for 1 minute to soften it. Leave for 10 minutes.
- Put the tomatoes in a sieve with a pinch of salt and let them drain for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the drained tomatoes, onion, hot peppers, bell pepper and parsley. Stir in the tomato paste, pepper paste and pepper flakes.
- Add the olive oil, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and the remaining salt and mix thoroughly.
- Taste and adjust the heat, sourness and salt. Chill for 30 minutes. It should be juicy but not soupy.
- Serve cold as part of a meze spread, with bread, or alongside kebabs.
Tips
- The finer you chop, the better the texture. Some cooks pulse the vegetables briefly in a food processor, but stop before they turn to purée.
- Control the heat with the peppers. Remove the seeds and ribs for a gentler ezme, or add extra pepper flakes for more fire.
Questions and answers
How spicy is acılı ezme?
Usually medium to hot. You decide: use mild pepper flakes and seeded chilies for a gentle ezme, or leave the seeds in for heat.
What do you eat acılı ezme with?
It is a staple beside kebabs and lahmacun, and people also spoon it onto bread, grilled meat or sandwiches. It is common on meze tables with yogurt and eggplant dishes.
Can I make acılı ezme ahead?
Yes, up to a day ahead. It tastes better after a few hours as the flavors blend, but drain off any extra liquid before serving.
How long does it take to make Acılı Ezme (Spicy Turkish Tomato and Pepper Salad)?
About 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Acılı Ezme (Spicy Turkish Tomato and Pepper Salad)?
About 115 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 115 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
