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Acılı Ezme is the kind of dish that instantly wakes up the senses. This vibrant Turkish salad, made with finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and a mix of fresh herbs, is known for its bold flavours and pleasant kick of heat.
Often served as a meze; a small appetizer to share, Acılı Ezme is refreshing, fiery, and deeply satisfying. It’s the perfect dish to introduce someone to the world of Turkish flavours, where fresh ingredients and spices come together to create a lively and memorable experience.
What Is Acılı Ezme?
Acılı Ezme, which translates to “spicy mash,” is a traditional Turkish salad that combines ripe tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, onions, and an assortment of herbs and spices. The ingredients are finely chopped and mixed together to create a texture that’s somewhere between a salad and a dip.
This dish is frequently served as part of a meze spread, alongside other small plates that invite you to enjoy a range of flavours in one meal. Typically, Acılı Ezme is served with warm flatbread, which allows you to scoop up the salad and fully experience its flavours.
Acılı Ezme is all about balance: it’s spicy but not overpowering, tangy yet subtly sweet, and it offers a satisfying crunch from the fresh vegetables. Each spoonful brings a burst of flavour that is as invigorating as it is delicious, making it a staple in Turkish homes and restaurants alike.
Ingredients and Taste
The ingredients for Acılı Ezme are simple but essential to achieving its bold flavour. The base is made of juicy tomatoes and a mix of green and red peppers, both sweet and hot varieties, which add complexity to the dish.
Red onions or shallots bring a bit of sharpness, while fresh herbs like parsley and mint provide a bright contrast. A generous splash of pomegranate molasses or lemon juice adds tanginess, while olive oil gives a smooth, rich finish.
The spices are what elevate Acılı Ezme to another level. Sumac, a tangy, lemony spice, is often used to give the salad a tart undertone. Aleppo pepper or red chili flakes add heat, while a touch of cumin provides warmth and depth.
This combination of spices and fresh ingredients creates a taste that is lively, refreshing, and slightly smoky. Acılı Ezme is typically enjoyed with a drizzle of olive oil on top, which mellows out the acidity and brings everything together. The result is a vibrant, spicy salad that perfectly balances heat with freshness.
A Taste of History
Acılı Ezme has roots that stretch back centuries, as part of the rich and diverse cuisine of Turkey and the broader Middle Eastern region.
Its origins lie in the ancient tradition of meze, small, flavourful dishes shared among friends and family as a way to enjoy a wide range of flavours and textures in one meal.
The art of preparing meze is central to Turkish culture, where food is celebrated not only for its taste but also for the way it brings people together.
The popularity of Acılı Ezme across Turkey highlights the country’s love for fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours. The spices used in Acılı Ezme, such as Aleppo pepper and sumac, have long been staples in Turkish kitchens, reflecting the country’s role in the spice trade that once connected the East and West.
Today, Acılı Ezme remains a beloved part of Turkish dining, served in both traditional taverns and modern restaurants, where it continues to delight diners with its robust, refreshing taste.
Acılı Ezme (Spicy Tomato and Pepper Salad) Recipe
Serves: 4 people
Ingredients:
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 small green chili pepper, minced (adjust to taste for heat)
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp ground sumac (optional, for added tartness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
To begin, prepare the tomatoes by dicing them finely. Place the diced tomatoes in a sieve over a bowl and let them drain for about 5 minutes to remove excess liquid, which helps prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
While the tomatoes drain, dice the red bell pepper and finely mince the green chili pepper. Adjust the chili quantity depending on your preferred spice level, traditional Acılı Ezme is quite spicy but can be customized.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, red bell pepper, and green chili pepper. This forms the base of the salad and provides vibrant colours and texture.
Peel and finely dice the red onion, then add it to the bowl. Next, add the minced garlic, which adds depth to the flavour. Mixing these ingredients well ensures the flavours blend evenly.
Add the finely chopped parsley and mint to the bowl. These fresh herbs are essential to the dish’s flavour profile, providing a refreshing contrast to the spicy peppers. Stir gently to combine.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and lemon juice until emulsified. The pomegranate molasses adds a subtle sweetness and depth to balance the salad’s spiciness.
Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and stir gently to coat all the ingredients. Add ground sumac, salt, and pepper to taste. Sumac adds a hint of tartness, enhancing the salad’s bright, tangy flavour.
Transfer the Acılı Ezme to a serving bowl and garnish with a few sprigs of parsley or mint for presentation. Serve with warm flatbread or as a condiment alongside grilled meats. For an extra layer of flavour, drizzle with a touch more pomegranate molasses just before serving.
