Ezme
Ingredients
- 3 Large Tomato
- 1 medium Romano Pepper
- 1 medium Green Chilli
- 1 small Onion
- 2 cloves minced Garlic
- 25g Parsley
- 2 tablespoons Red Pepper Paste
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Puree
- 2 tablespoons Pomegranate Molasses
- 1 tablespoon Pul Biber
- 2 tsp Sumac
- 1 tablespoon Dried Mint
- 60 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Roughly chop the tomatoes and all the peppers and place them in a food processor. Blitz until finely chopped but not puréed. Transfer to a sieve set over a bowl and leave to drain off excess liquid.
- Put the onion, garlic and parsley into the food processor and blitz until very finely chopped. Set aside.
- In a serving bowl, whisk together the red pepper paste, tomato purée, pomegranate molasses, pul biber, sumac and dried mint with most of the extra virgin olive oil to form a smooth dressing.
- Add the onion mixture and the well-drained tomato and pepper mixture to the bowl. Season with flaky sea salt and mix thoroughly.
- Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and serve chilled or at room temperature with flatbreads or crusty bread.
Tips
- Hand-chopping the vegetables into tiny, uniform cubes is better than using a food processor, which can turn the salad into a watery purée.
- Drain the chopped tomatoes in a sieve for a few minutes to remove excess liquid before mixing with the spices.
- Use pomegranate molasses (nar ekşisi) for the authentic tart and sweet Turkish flavor profile.
Variations
- Spicy Ezme: Increase the amount of ‘isot’ (Urfa pepper) or red chili flakes for a deeper heat.
- Walnut Ezme: Stir in finely crushed walnuts for extra texture and a nutty richness.
Storage
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a dip with warm flatbreads or as a topping for grilled meats like Lahmacun.
- Garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few whole parsley leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Ezme and Salsa?
Can I make it less spicy?
Does it need to be peeled?
instructions_source: editorial-classic