During the summer, at the height of the barbecue season, I like to serve light, fun foods that are both easy to prepare and pack a lot of flavor. One of my favorite vegetarian sides to serve with any kind of grilled meat or burgers actually comes from Turkish cuisine.
What makes it fun, among other things, is the name. 'Saksuka,' pronounced shack-SHOO'-kah, is roughly translated as "slapped together with anything you have at hand." That's exactly what this dish is.
'Saksuka' is made with eggplant, the main ingredient, and any other seasonal vegetables you have on hand. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, zucchini, peppers and more.
The eggplant and veggies are fried in olive oil, blotted on paper towels, then mixed with a tangy homemade tomato sauce. The dish is finished with generous amounts of garlic yogurt on top and there you have it. The perfect side dish or topping for your summer cookouts and entertaining.
Try this recipe for the Turkish appetizer with the silly name, 'saksuka,' and surprise your family and guests.