Acılı Ezme — Spicy Turkish Tomato and Pepper Salad

Acılı ezme is a vivid, spicy meze of hand-chopped tomato, peppers, onion, parsley, pepper paste, pomegranate molasses, and sumac. It should be juicy yet textured—not a smooth blender salsa.

SERVES 6 | PREP 25 MIN

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ripe but firm tomatoes

• 2 long green peppers

• 1 red pepper

• ½ small onion

• ½ bunch flat-leaf parsley

• 1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste

• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp sumac

• 1 tsp pul biber, to taste

• Salt

METHOD

1. Remove watery tomato seeds. Chop tomatoes, peppers, onion, and parsley extremely finely by hand.

2. Drain excess liquid for a few minutes.

3. Mix pepper paste, pomegranate molasses, lemon, olive oil, sumac, pul biber, and salt.

4. Fold the dressing through the vegetables without crushing them.

5. Rest 10 minutes and serve with warm pide or alongside kebabs.

KITCHEN NOTE

A sharp knife preserves the sparkle and texture. A food processor can quickly turn ezme watery and pasty.