Şakşuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze)
Şakşuka is a Turkish vegetable meze featuring tender fried aubergines, potatoes, and green peppers in a savory tomato and garlic sauce with a touch of vinegar and sugar. The vegetables are fried separately to golden, cooked to maintain texture, and then combined with a fresh tomato-based sauce, creating a harmonious blend of rich, tangy, and savory flavors. It is served as an appetizer or side dish, highlighting olive oil and fresh produce.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2-3 Turkish green peppers approx 200 grams, or 1 bell pepper
- 2 medium aubergine approx 500 grams
- 2 medium potato approx 350 grams
- 3-4 medium tomato approx 400 grams
- 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ tablespoon cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
Instructions
Prepare the Vegetables
- Cut off both ends of the aubergines using a paring knife and peel the skin in strips, going from top to bottom. Do this carefully making sure you save as much flesh as you can.
- Cut the aubergines into bite-sized chunks a size of one centimetre long.
- Peel the potatoes and cut them similar in size to the aubergines.
- Slice the Turkish peppers in chunky size (or dice the bell pepper similar in size to the potatoes & aubergines).
- Chop or grate the tomatoes, and set them aside.
Fry the Vegetables
- Place a large frying pan on medium-high heat and add the olive oil to the pan.
- Make sure all of your vegetables are totally dry before starting to fry them.
- When the oil is hot, lower the heat to medium, place the potatoes carefully in the pan and fry them until golden outside and soft inside.
- Remove the potatoes in a colander or on a thick paper towel to get rid of excess oil.
- Carefully add the peppers to the pan and fry them for a few minutes, until they are slightly softened. Put them on a colander together with the potatoes.
- Add the aubergines to the pan and fry them until tender and just beginning to brown at the edges. Don't be tempted to add more olive oil!
- Remove the aubergines from the pan on a thick paper towel to get rid of excess oil.
Prepare the Tomato Sauce
- Put a little olive oil into the same pan you fried your vegetables (if needed) and quickly sauté the garlic.
- Add the chopped/grated tomatoes, tomato paste (optional), sugar, vinegar, and salt, give it a stir, and then let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, until most of the liquid is reduced.
- Place the potatoes, peppers, and aubergines on a serving bowl/plate and give them a gentle mix.
- Pour the tomato sauce on top and let it cool down to room temperature before serving.
- You can stir the tomato sauce with the vegetables if you prefer and top it with some garlicky yogurt sauce before serving.
Notes
- Select slightly firm, not hard, aubergines for best texture in Şakşuka.
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil as it significantly influences the flavor.
- Ensure all vegetables are completely dry before frying to limit oil absorption.
- Eggplants may release absorbed oil during frying; do not add extra oil beyond the recipe amount.
- Leftovers store sealed in the fridge up to one week and serve well cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 409
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 409kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Sodium | 309mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 1302mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 1044IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 87mg | 97% |
| Calcium | 52mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.