Acili Ezme Recipe
Acili Ezme is a vibrant and spicy Turkish salad made from charred tomatoes and peppers, combined with onions, parsley, and flavorful seasonings. This cold appetizer is perfect as a zesty accompaniment to grilled meats or as part of a mezze platter, offering a fresh, tangy, and mildly spicy taste with a smooth, chunky texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 5 medium tomatoes
- 4 green peppers
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- ½ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
Seasonings & Sauces
- 2 tbsp red pepper paste (biber salçası or tomato paste)
- 1 tbsp ground sumac
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Grill the vegetables: Preheat your grill to high heat (around 450°F). Oil the grill basket or grill pan to prevent sticking. Place the whole tomatoes and green peppers directly on the grates. Grill them until their skins are charred and blistered, turning occasionally to ensure even charring on all sides. This process should take 5 to 10 minutes depending on the size of the vegetables.
- Steam and peel: Remove the grilled tomatoes and peppers from the grill and cover them with a kitchen towel. Let them steam for about 5 minutes, which helps loosen the skins. After steaming, peel off and discard the charred skins from the tomatoes and peppers.
- Mash and chop the ingredients: Place the peeled tomatoes, peppers, diced onion, and chopped parsley on a large plate with a slight rim. Add the red pepper paste, ground sumac, and kosher salt. Using a biscuit cutter or metal cup, start mashing and chopping the mixture by pressing down, twisting, and scooping the ingredients, moving the plate as necessary. Continue this until you achieve a finely chopped, yet still chunky texture according to your preference.
- Add the finishing touches: Drizzle the pomegranate molasses and olive oil evenly over the mashed vegetable mixture.
- Season and serve: Adjust the seasoning to taste if needed. Serve Acili Ezme as a spicy dip with vegetables, toasted pita chips, alongside kabobs, or as part of a diverse mezze platter for an authentic Turkish experience.
Notes
- Note 1: Green peppers can vary in heat; mild bell peppers or slightly spicy green chilies can be used depending on your preference.
- Note 2: Using a biscuit cutter or metal cup for mashing helps achieve the correct fine but textured consistency traditional to Acili Ezme.
Keywords: Acili Ezme, Turkish salad, spicy salad, grilled vegetables, mezze, pomegranate molasses, red pepper paste, summer salad
Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/acili-ezme-recipe/
