Arab-Style Şakşuka

Ingredients

While the Turkish Şakşuka typically includes eggplant, this Arab adaptation replaces it with zucchini to align with Arab cuisine preferences. Additionally, the spices used in the tomato sauce are adjusted to reflect the distinctive flavors of Arab cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Şakşuka, so you can check it out.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml) 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 zucchinis, diced 2 zucchinis, diced
• 4 tomatoes, peeled and chopped 4 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 10g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced red and green bell peppers to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
4. 4.
   Add the diced zucchinis to the pan and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Stir in the chopped tomatoes, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
6. 6.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Zucchini — Make sure to dice the zucchini into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the tomato sauce.
• Serve the Arab-style Şakşuka with warm pita bread for a complete meal.
• This dish tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance and reheating it when ready to serve.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or eggplant to customize the dish to your liking.
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the tomato sauce before adding the vegetables.

Serving advice

Serve the Arab-style Şakşuka as a main course accompanied by a side of fluffy couscous or fragrant basmati rice. It can also be enjoyed as a side dish alongside grilled meats or as a filling for pita bread sandwiches.

Presentation advice

Garnish the Arab-style Şakşuka with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in a shallow bowl or on a large platter to showcase the vibrant colors of the vegetables.