Turkish tomato walnut salad

This has been my favourite Turkish salad since the first time I tasted it. Fresh and zingy, it’s the perfect accompaniment to kebabs and grilled meats. Or as a starter in its own right. Just make sure there’s fresh bread. You don’t want to miss those last remaining juices when enjoying this Turkish tomato walnut salad!

The restoration and refurbishment of the house was supposed to be done by the time I came to Istanbul last summer. That wasn’t to be.

As is often the case with projects of this size, things took longer than anticipated. Much longer than anticipated. So my first couple of months in the city were spent commuting across the Bosporus and variously spending time at the site, specialty shops or workshops. And lots of waiting – with (very) limited Turkish and having only gotten in towards the very end, there wasn’t much I could do.

A trip to Eyüp to inspect the work of the carpenters delivering the front door was one of those occations. I say inspect but the real reason was to try and push them along – they were significantly delayed and holding everyone else back. We were meeting at one in the afternoon, but, alas, when we arrived the workshop was empty.

After a few attempts, my partner finally got hold of the head carpenter, the usta. He promised to be there within half an hour – Turkish for an hour or so. So we decided to have a bite. There was only a small catch to this plan: we were in the middle of a huge industrial area, with apparently very few alternatives, none of them attractive.

A proper introduction to one of the best Turkish salads

So we decided to take a walk around the area to see if we could find something better. After a little while, we sat down at what appeared to be a fairly run-of-the-mill place called Ali Haydar Usta. It was to turn out to be a stroke of luck: it’s one of the best places I’ve eaten in Istanbul.

It was also my first proper introduction to Gavurdağ salatası, a delicious tomato walnut salad made from finely chopped tomato, walnuts, onion and pomegranate syrup. It was not to be the last time I had it.

This tomato walnut salad is named after the Gavur mountain in Gaziantep in Southern Turkey, where the dish supposedly originated.

While the main ingredients are the four I just mentioned, the preparation can vary quite substantially. Some like it chunky. Others, like Ali Haydar Usta, so finely chopped the salad is virtually swimming in its own juices.

And that’s how I make mine.

The key to a perfect Turkish tomato walnut salad

Even though the salad is so finely chopped it looks more like a dip at first sight, all the distinct flavours of its key elements are retained.

Since the main fresh ingredient is tomatoes, it goes without saying that the salad is best made when tomatoes are plump and full of flavour.

This is also an occasion for using the best pomegranate molasses you can afford and get hold of. Check the labelling to ensure it’s got nothing except pomegranate in it. Many brands sell what is essentially artificially flavoured glucose syrup. Avoid those if you can.

I find the thickest ones give the best flavour – hardly surprising, since they are also the most concentrated. Perfect for this Turkish tomato walnut salad.

If you live in Istanbul, go to the spice market in Eminönü and ask for the home-made ones. They only display the cheaper commercial ones, but behind the counter they have the real, home-made thing. It’s more expensive, but worth it if you can afford it. Or order online from Turunc Gida in Antakya – I know the family and can vouch for its authenticity and flavour (this is the pomegranate molasses I use).

Gavurdağ salatası is typically served as a starter before meat and is perfect alongside the barbecue. Serves 3-4 as a side.

Turkish tomato & walnut salad (Gavurdağ salatası)

Classic Turkish tomato salad that's a staple at kebab houses.

5 (6 ratings).

Meze, Salad, Side Dish

Türkiye

15 minutes mins

4 servings

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Ingredients

½x1x2x3x

USMetric

• 375 g tomato, (3 medium), finely chopped
• ½ small onion, finely chopped
• 1 spring onions (green onions/scallions), finely chopped
• 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley
• 16 walnut halves, 10 finely chopped and 6 roughly chopped
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1½-2 Tbsp pomegranate molasses
• ½ tsp sumac
• ½ tsp pul biber (Aleppo pepper)
• salt and pepper

How I make it

• Using your best knife, chop the vegetables as finely as you can.
• Mix together all the ingredients, except the 6 roughly chopped walnut halves. Season and taste, adding more olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate syrup or spices to taste, if necessary.
• Serve garnished with the roughly chopped walnut halves sprinkled on top, and perhaps some fresh herbs if you like.

Tips & notes

Prepare the salad at least 30 minutes ahead if you can; it allows the flavours to mingle and the juices to become really tasty. In that case, don’t but the garnish until just before serving. The salad is supposed to be runny, almost half-way between salad and sauce.

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