 | |
| Alternative names | Acuka |
|---|---|
| Course | Dip |
| Place of origin | Aleppo,Syria |
| Region or state | Syria |
| Associatedcuisine | Syrian cuisine |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | Bell pepper,walnuts,pomegranate molasses |
| Ingredients generally used | red chili paste,breadcrumbs,lemon juice,olive oil,cumin |
Themuhammara ormhammara (Arabic:محمرة,lit. 'something that has turned red') is adip made ofwalnuts, redbell peppers,pomegranate molasses, andbreadcrumbs. While commonly associated withSyria,[1] muhammara can also be found in WesternArmenian cuisine.[2] In western Turkey, muhammara is referred to asacuka and is served as part of themezze platter appetizer course.[3]
The principal ingredients are fresh redbell peppers;pomegranate molasses for a characteristic sweet-tart note;Aleppo pepper flakes; groundwalnuts for a crunchy texture;breadcrumbs to thicken the puree;garlic to enhance the flavors; red chili paste (optional);salt and extra virginolive oil, all blended into a smooth yet slightly chunky paste. It sometimes containslemon juice and spices such ascumin.[4][5] InDamascus, tahini is sometimes added.[4] It may be garnished with extra virgin olive oil, walnuts,mint leaves orparsley. Served with pita bread.
The peppers may be sun-dried or grilled rather than fresh.[6][4][7]
Traditionally, it is prepared using mortar and pestle.[4]
Muhammara was described inKhayr al-Din al-Asadi's 1981 encyclopedia as an appetizer of crumbled orka'ak, pomegrante molasses, walnuts, peppers, and oil.[8]
In 2022,Gaziantep, Turkey, received a geographical indication from theTurkish Patent and Trademark Office for muhammara, recognizing the dish as a registered regional specialty associated with the city.[9][10] The patents listed ingredients are: fresh red peppers or red pepper flakes, olive oil, walnuts, rusks or breadcrumbs, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, cumin, and Parsley or walnut halves for garnish.[9]
Muhammara is eaten as a dip with bread served with the coldmezze, as a topping formanakish or as a sauce forkebabs (skewers), grilled vegetables, grilled meats, and fish.[11][12]
Arabs will reflexively tell you that the famous muḥammara comes from Aleppo, Syria.
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