Ezme

Ezme

Serves 4 332 kcal per serving Prep 20 min Cook 10 min Passive 10 min

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

  1. 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.
  2. Put the onion, garlic and parsley into the food processor and blitz until very finely chopped. Set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. Add the onion mixture and the well-drained tomato and pepper mixture to the bowl. Season with flaky sea salt and mix thoroughly.
  5. 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

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors actually improve after a few hours of marinating.

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?

Ezme uses Turkish spices like sumac and pomegranate molasses, giving it a distinct Middle Eastern flavor compared to Mexican salsa.

Can I make it less spicy?

Yes, simply omit the hot peppers and use more sweet bell peppers and mild paprika instead.

Does it need to be peeled?

Peeling the tomatoes is recommended for a smoother texture, but it is not strictly necessary if you chop them finely.

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