North Africa · Side
Taktouka (Cooked Sweet Pepper and Tomato Relish)
A smoky and zesty Moroccan cooked salad of charred bell peppers and crushed tomatoes infused with garlic, cumin, and olive oil.
The story
Taktouka is a quintessential cooked salad served throughout Morocco as part of the traditional mezze spread alongside tagines, fried fish, and roasted meats. Its name comes from the Moroccan Arabic verb 'taktak', which means to chop or crush finely, describing the way the softened vegetables are broken down during cooking. Unlike Zaalouk, which centers on eggplant, Taktouka relies on blistering the peppers over an open flame first to impart a distinct smokiness that balances the natural sweetness of slow-simmered tomatoes.
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