Acılı ezme Salad is a delicious spicy dip, but do people know what it consists of?
Ezme salad is famous across Palestine and often eaten next to grilled chicken and beef!
Whenever you enter a restaurant, chances are that you have encountered a warm basket of Turkish bread on the table. However, a certain appetizer comes alongside. It consists of a finely chopped salad and a dip that has made many wonder what it might be.
Tantalize Your Taste Buds with Acılı Ezme Salad
So, What Is Ezme?
People who are not familiar with Turkish cuisine assume that this salad is full of spices. On the contrary, Turkish food is characterized by its clean flavors and little heat.
However, Acılı means spicy in Turkish. No wonder why everyone is afraid to taste it!
This little bowl of finely chopped vegetables might seem unnoticeable. But if you prepare it properly, it certainly packs a punch!
Unsurprisingly, it is common in Southern and Eastern regions of Turkiye where they have a heavier hand with spices, particularly dried chili flakes.
And as for ezme, it is the Turkish word for crushed, referring to the style of preparation. Indeed, you will encounter many ezme dishes in Turkish cuisine, noticeably being crushed and with a dip-like texture.
Preparing ezme salad takes me back to 2023. People in Palestine have acili ezme salad paired with grilled meat or chicken. This Turkish delight has become a staple, gracing every plate with its vibrant colors and bold flavors. It’s one of this things that you don’t realize you miss until it is not there. I tried it at a local Palestinian restaurant called Nour, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. It is a salad worth recreating at home. Every time I make it, it brings a taste of Palestine and a touch of Turkish flair to my table.
Spice It Up!
Why You Will Love Ezme Salad
This salad is both refreshing and spicy. It is a perfect option whether you want a side salad or a dip. The spiciness can be adjusted accordingly to suit the taste you are looking for. The fresh vegetables make it super healthy. Not to mention that it is easy and quick to prepare!
You can serve it with almost any main course, easily prepared and commonly eaten during the summer.
The authentic flavors in Ezme salad entice tourists to return for more and inspire them to explore other traditional Turkish dishes.
Indulge in a Bowl of Vibrant Ezme Salad
Ezme Salad Dressing
Pomegranate Molasses makes a thick syrup that has an intense sweet-and-sour flavor that makes it perfect for any salad dressing or marinade.
Also, you can use extra lemon juice that adds freshness to the salad. However, you should use freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled ones and the amount differs whether you want the salad tangy or not.
Ingredients
Tomato
Red onion
Parsley
Green bell pepper
Red bell pepper
Garlic
Mild red pepper paste
Aleppo pepper
Sumac
Dried mint
Salt
Olive oil
Pomegranate molasses
An Authentic Turkish Delight
Steps to Follow
This salad is super good and is so easy to make, here’s all you have to do:
First, add the veggies to a food processor to chop finely, or chop finely by hand
Then, add the spices, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses. And that’s it!
Substitutions for Ezme Turkish Salad
If fresh tomatoes are not available, use canned or sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. Make sure you drain the excess liquid.
Instead of parsley, you can use cilantro or both for an extra herby flavor.
If you do not have fresh garlic cloves, you can substitute each clove with 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
This recipe calls for dried mint. If not available, you can use fresh mint leaves finely chopped.
Presentation Is Key!
Serving Methods
In Turkey, you can find Ezme mainly in kebab restaurants that serve it as an appetizer alongside fresh bread or as a side dish to kebabs. Many other restaurants, particularly those that attract tourists, also serve a small bowl of acili ezme as a welcome dish.
You can also serve the salad as a meze. It is a perfect addition along with any grilled meat, not just kebab.
No matter how you decide to serve it, make sure to add plenty of delicious fresh bread on the side, such as Turkish pide bread, to mop up all those delicious juices.
Chop It All Together!
Ezme consists of mashed salad, so the preparation method is very significant. Genuine kebab restaurants tend to use a big cleaver or a special double-handled knife or a super sharp chef knife whenever they want to chop the vegetables.
We should not forget that the tomatoes should be cut into tiny pieces. After that, the onions as well as the parsley should be chopped similarly.
This Salad Can Serve the Whole Family
Tips and Tricks
You can use a fairly spicy version when making this salad. Or you can, as suggested in the ezme recipe below, use a combination of fresh chilies and a regular heat pul biber.
In case the tomatoes are not super ripe and flavourful, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of a good-quality tomato paste to boost the flavors.
You should substitute acı biber salçası (Turkish hot pepper paste) for the pul biber if you want a punchier and more umami-laden dip.
Decorate the Table with This Plate!
Storage Tips
Refrigerate promptly: Once ezme salad is ready, you have to transfer it promptly into an airtight container. Make sure it is dry and clean before adding the salad.
Cover with plastic wrap: Before sealing the container, a good idea is to cover it with plastic wrap. This will ensure your ezme salad is fresh for longer by minimizing air exposure. It also prevents it from absorbing other odors from the refrigerator.
Consume it within a few days: It is best to consume Ezme fresh. It can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days. However, consuming it within 2-3 days is better for the best flavor and texture. Don’t forget to stir it gently before serving to redistribute the flavors and juices.
Avoid freezing: Well, ezme salad is made of fresh vegetables, so it does not freeze well. Freezing it can change the flavor and texture of the salad. So, consume it fresh or refrigerated.
The Fiesta Never Ends
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
The heat usually comes from one of two sources. It can come from using dried chili flakes commonly known as Aleppo pepper. They are fairly mild and fragrant. It can also come the Turkish acı biber salçası. By adding it, you give the salad beautiful umami-laden heat.
Since ezme is so finely chopped to look like a dip, it can be made a few hours before in a pinch. But the best restaurants always chop it on-site for a reason.
It is preferable to use fresh red tomatoes for this salad. Also, although many recipes encourage peeling the tomatoes it is better to keep them as they are and chop them into little pieces.
Other Must Try Recipes
Tabbouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
Cucumber Yogurt Salad | Khiyar Bi Laban
Meat Stuffed Pitas (Palestinian Arayes)
Middle Eastern Spiced Baked Chicken
Mushabak Halabi (Middle Eastern Churros)
Middle Eastern Cheese Fatayer (Cheese Pies)
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Ezme Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized tomato
- ½ small red onion
- ¼ cup parsley
- ½ green bell pepper
- ½ red bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons mild red pepper paste
- ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- 1½ teaspoons dried mint
- salt to taste (i used about ½ teaspoon)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
Instructions
- Add the veggies to a food processor to chop finely or chop finely by hand.
- Then, add the spices and olive oil and pomegranate molasses.
Notes
- Typically, this salad/dip is a little spicy. Feel free to use the Turkish hot pepper or cayenne pepper as a substitute to make it spicy. You can also use hot pepper paste instead of mild.
