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Turkish Ezme Salad (Acılı Ezme) - Spicy Tomato and Pepper Mezze

Turkish restaurant style Ezme salad

Make authentic Turkish Ezme Salad (Acılı Ezme) at home! Spicy tomato & pepper mezze with pomegranate molasses, ready in 10 mins. Perfect for kebabs & pita!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 105
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 ripe but firm tomatoes finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper or 2 mild Turkish peppers finely diced
  • ½ small red onion finely diced
  • ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or pul biber
  • ½ teaspoon sumac
  • ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 small red chili finely chopped, optional

Method
 

  1. Finely dice tomatoes, peppers, onion, and parsley. Drain the tomatoes briefly if watery.
  2. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, tomato paste, chili, sumac, salt, and pepper.
  3. Fold the dressing into the vegetables without pureeing them.
  4. Refrigerate 20–30 minutes for the flavors to combine.
  5. Serve with warm pita or lavash and finish with herbs and olive oil.

Video

Notes

Acılı Ezme is Turkey's famous spicy mezze - like a smoky, tangy salsa. The secret is extra-fine chopping and the combo of biber salçası + pomegranate molasses. It tastes even better the next day and keeps for 3 days in the fridge.
Hand-chop only (no processor), drain tomato juice, and rest 15 mins - that's the secret to authentic Acılı Ezme.