Acuka (Spicy Walnut & Pepper Breakfast Spread)
Acuka is a fiery, nutty spread from southeastern Turkey made with walnuts, pepper paste and pomegranate molasses. It comes together in 20 minutes and keeps for a week in the fridge.
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Ingredients
200g walnut kernels, finely ground
3 tbsp hot pepper paste (biber salcasi)
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
100ml extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp dry breadcrumbs
1 tbsp Turkish pepper flakes (pul biber)
1 tsp ground cumin
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp dried mint
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Pulse the walnuts in a food processor until finely ground but not oily; a little texture is good.
- 2
Warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small pan over low heat and stir in the pepper paste and tomato paste for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Take off the heat.
- 3
Combine the ground walnuts, warmed paste mixture, garlic, cumin, dried mint, pepper flakes and salt in a bowl.
- 4
Add the breadcrumbs and pomegranate molasses, then work in the remaining olive oil a little at a time until you have a thick, spreadable paste.
- 5
Taste and adjust: more molasses for tang, more pepper flakes for heat, a splash of oil if it feels dry.
- 6
Rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour so the flavours meld, then bring to room temperature before serving.
- 7
Spread onto a plate, drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of pul biber, and serve with fresh simit or pide bread.
Acuka, also known as muhammara's rustic cousin, is a staple of breakfast tables in Antakya and Gaziantep. Ground walnuts are bound with biber salcasi (Turkish pepper paste), tomato paste and a splash of pomegranate molasses, giving it that unmistakable sweet-sour-spicy balance. Spread thickly on warm bread, it turns even the simplest UK weekday breakfast into a proper Turkish kahvalti.
The two non-negotiables are good walnuts and a proper Turkish pepper paste. Hot pepper paste gives the classic kick, but you can use mild paste or a half-and-half mix if you are serving children. Breadcrumbs give the spread body and help it hold its shape on the plate.
Everything you need, from Oncu pepper paste to Anthap walnut kernels and pomegranate molasses, is available at Turkish Online Market with UK-wide delivery, so you can make an authentic batch without hunting around specialist shops. Serve it alongside white cheese, olives and endless glasses of black tea.
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