Finely chopped red tomato and pepper meze with green herbs and red pepper flakes on a shallow blue plate

Last updated: 14 October 2026

Spicy Tomato Meze

Name: Spicy Tomato Meze
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 4 Tomatoes (medium), washed and finely chopped; 2 Peppers (green, long), washed, deseeded and finely chopped; 1 Pepper (red, sweet), washed, deseeded and finely chopped; ½ Onion (small), finely chopped; ½ cup Parsley (fresh), washed and finely chopped; 1 tbsp Pepper paste (red); 1 tbsp Pomegranate molasses; 1 tbsp Lemon juice; 2 tbsp Olive oil (extra-virgin); 1 tsp Sumac (ground); 1 tsp Turkish red pepper flakes; use less for a milder result; Table salt, to taste

Rate this recipe

Acılı Ezme

Finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, onion and parsley with a spicy, tangy dressing.

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 0
Rest: 10 min
Total: 35 min
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Method

Finely chop the vegetables and parsley by hand. If the tomatoes are very watery, let the chopped tomatoes drain in a sieve for a few minutes; do not squeeze them dry.
Püf noktası · Kitchen tip
- Moisture Control
  Draining cut vegetables
  Let unwanted liquid drain away while keeping the vegetable pieces intact.
- Preparation & Knife Skills
  Fine chopping by hand
  Keep small vegetable pieces distinct instead of turning them into a watery paste.
Stir the pepper paste, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, oil, sumac and pul biber together. Taste before adding salt because pepper paste can be salty.
Püf noktası · Kitchen tip
- Seasoning & Flavor Balance
  Taste and balance seasoning
  Taste the mixture before adding more, especially when salty or sour ingredients are already present.
Fold the vegetables and parsley into the dressing. Rest for 10 minutes in the refrigerator, then stir and serve.
Fine vegetable pieces remain visible in a moist, spoonable mixture.