Mercimek Köftesi
Lentil Patties
TURKEY
Gavurdağ Salad is a vibrant Turkish dish bursting with flavor. It’s a refreshing combination of fresh vegetables, walnuts, and a tangy pomegranate dressing. This salad has a long history, originating from the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep. Today, it’s enjoyed throughout the country.
Nevin, who shared this recipe, has Turkish roots but now lives in Ireland. She eats walnuts daily and loves this salad. She says walnuts are the star here, not just a topping. For Nevin, it reminds her of lazy summer days with family.
To make Gavurdagi Salatasi, dice cucumbers, and tomatoes into small cubes. Finely chop a red onion and slice green chilies. Add these to a bowl along with chopped parsley and mint leaves. The star ingredient, walnuts, should be chopped into small pieces and added to the mix. Combine sumac, aleppo pepper or chili flakes, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and lemon juice for the dressing. Mix the dressing with the salad and season with salt. Garnish with extra walnuts and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses.
This salad is fresh and herbaceous. The pomegranate molasses added a delightful tangy sweetness. However, the walnuts’ bitterness and waxiness were prominent. While I didn’t become a fan of walnuts, I appreciated the salad’s texture and balance of flavors. The pomegranate molasses stood out as a must-have ingredient. If you love walnuts, this salad is a must-try. If not, consider replacing them with pita chips or chickpeas for a different crunch.
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