Istanbul has still not settled down and the streets are volatile.
But I had a quick escape to the UK for a class reunion and came back last night.
I must confess, my heart was here throughout. On the way home from the airport, we found ourselves in the middle of a massive protest march along Bağdat Caddesi, thousands of people waving their flags, masses of cars all tooting their horns – tensions are still running high and the issues are far from being solved.
But life goes on: today is Monday, market day in Selami Çeşme, so off I went in search of those little round courgettes. I was late as I had had a busy day up till that point but I soon found them.
Not every stall has them as they’re not that commonplace as yet. Also the coloured peppers. I love the reds, oranges and yellows! I had a couple of salads in mind.
I made the courgette one this evening and we enjoyed it: fresh, pretty to look at, and a good combination of flavours and textures. Funnily enough, it was only as I wrote the name of this recipe above that I realised that I hadn’t used the mint I had so lovingly chosen at the market!
I checked the recipe and sure enough, it had been forgotten. I think the addition of fresh mint would be a definite plus.
This is yet another Didem Şenol selection: light, seasonal and easy to prepare. At the same time, it’s unusual. I know I’ll be making this one again.
- Slice the courgettes and apple as finely as possible. I used a mandolin slicer.
- Place the apple slices in water with lemon to prevent them from discolouring. Finely chop the dill, spring onion, and mint and mix with the courgette, apple and cheese. Add the nigella seeds.
- Add the vinegar and salt, and then finally the olive oil and mix together.
The recipe states that if you add the olive oil first, the salad won’t absorb the vinegar. I would say, go carefully with the vinegar and taste the salad as you add it. You don’t want it to be overpoweringly vinegary.
Place the salad in the middle of a large salad plate or spread it on a long plate. Serve immediately.
oh my gosh! this looks so good. i will be making it soon!
Hello Joyce! You are so busy with your street people, I don't know how you find the time to read other people's blogs! You are amazing, that's all I can say.
Yummy Claudia, this salad looks so delicious and refreshing, lovely to have you back and see this post! Hearts with you all in Turkey, as always..
Hi Özlem, this was actually a very nice salad – I was pleased with my goat's cheese from the market – I suppose it's not pasteurized, do you know? Yes, here I am, back but none of us feel good … it's all quite heartbreaking…
Claudia, We're so lucky that we have a weekly market here on Burgazada which brings us terrific summer produce. This salad sounds like a winner. BTW, we loved the fındıklı purslane salad you posted a couple of weeks ago.
Hi you guys! I am so very sorry we haven't been able to have that coffee as yet! Are you here over the summer? I am off to Assos in a week ….so happy to hear you liked that purslane salad – it was good, wasn't it? Afiyet olsun!
Hi Claudia, that's interesting that you went back to UK but didn't quite feel at home. I feel the same – my heart is well and truly planted in Malaysia that I rarely ever even think of the UK anymore.
Your food looks great by the way 🙂
Duncan in Kuantan
Teaching English with Mr. Duncan
Did you see that we were in Singapore recently? I really thought of you!! What I think is interesting is how we all adapt to new places, new cultures – not necessarily easy though! Thanks for your lovely comment 🙂
How nice you got a chance to visit the UK for your class reunion…but your heart was for Turkey. I too feel the same way, even though I don't live there but just go for visits to Turkey for the last 25 years I just feel like its home sometimes.
I love those lil' chubby round zucchinis…..your salad looks absolutely fabulous and so refreshing.. We don't have any here just the regular long ones. My sister in Law in Izmir would buy them a few times but she would slice them up, bread them and saute them then…..same way the Italians do them here.
Thanks again for sharing your pics and recipe….and I hope you will be safe there. We watch here on the news and internet all the time, hope it clears up safely.
Hi Erica – I can just imagine how you feel. And it's worse for you because you don't have the access to news like we do.
I am so interested to hear what your SIL does with these little courgettes. Not at all Turkish really. I bet hers taste delicious!
Thanks for your concern too – here on the Asian side, we are far away from Taksim but our hearts beat for them. Now we have the silent vigil….
Welcome back. I haven't seen these juicy peppers in Mumcular market yet but will search around Bodrum tomorrow.
Hi BtoB! Thanks! Saw Ann S on Monday and talked about you and Bodrum (briefly!). Have you done your cooking stint yet? I am really into these little round courgettes …do you get those?
This looks so fresh and summery! Although I won't find the same Turkish courgettes here in Warsaw, I'm sure I kind find some kind of substitute. 🙂
With your ingenuity, I am sure you will :))