Salça

Salça is a type of condiment commonly used in Turkish cuisine. It is a thick, deep red paste made from tomatoes or peppers, and is a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes.

History

The origins of salça can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, where it was used as a way to preserve the summer's bounty of tomatoes and peppers for use throughout the winter months. The process of making salça involves boiling down the vegetables until they reach a thick, paste-like consistency. This method of preservation was particularly useful in the days before refrigeration, and is still widely practiced today.

Types

There are two main types of salça: domates salçası (tomato salça) and biber salçası (pepper salça). Domates salçası is made from ripe tomatoes, while biber salçası is made from red bell peppers. Both types are used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to sauces and marinades.

Preparation

To make salça, the tomatoes or peppers are first washed and then boiled until soft. They are then passed through a sieve to remove the skins and seeds. The resulting pulp is then cooked down until it reaches a thick, paste-like consistency. The salça is then stored in jars and can be kept for up to a year.

Uses

Salça is used in a variety of dishes in Turkish cuisine. It is often used as a base for sauces, such as in the popular dish menemen, a scrambled egg dish with tomatoes, peppers, and onions. It is also used in stews, soups, and marinades, adding a rich, deep flavor to these dishes.

See also

• List of condiments
• Turkish cuisine