Ezme (Spicy Turkish Salad)

Step 1

Soften and flavor the onion. To a large mixing bowl, add the onion, red pepper paste, and tomato paste. Use your hands to knead and mix them well so that the paste infuses to the onions.

Step 2

Mix the salad. Stir in the tomatoes, peppers, parsley and mint. Combine well with your hands for the flavors to infuse. Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over, season with salt and pepper to taste, and give them all a good mix. Cover and keep in the fridge until serving. It would be best if you can let the Ezme sit for an hour or so before serving; this will help the flavors mingle and settle.

Step 3

Finish and serve. To give this spread a more modern twist, I like to sprinkle a few crushed walnuts over Ezme when serving. Afiyet Olsun.