Summer Squash with Tomatoes and Aleppo Pepper

I’ve been reading about Aleppo pepper for a few years now, but I’ve always had a hard time finding it at the store and I’m trying not to make so many online food purchases.  I figured that I would run into this elusive spice someday and sure enough, that’s what happened last week.  I’m really not sure how it took me an entire year to notice that multiple stores in Fresno stock this amazing crushed pepper.  Thanks to the large Armenian population here, we have some fantastic local markets filled with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spices and crushed Aleppo pepper is readily available at all of them.

I found the Aleppo pepper when I was out exploring Armenian markets with my boyfriend Phil.  Together, we’ve recently started a local food blog called Fresno Flavor that will talk about market finds and what to do with all the amazing fresh produce we have here.  Armenian food is an important part of the local food scene, so we decided to get out and start learning more about it.  We’ve visited a handful of bakeries, delis, and markets, but there are still many more places to visit.  I can’t wait to go check out some more!  I’d love it if you’d head over and check out what we’re doing.

The heat level of Aleppo pepper falls somewhere between mild paprika and spicy crushed red pepper.  It’s mild enough that you can season foods generously without worrying about burning mouths at the dinner table.  What I really love about this pepper is the flavor.  While sweet paprika mainly adds color and crushed red pepper mainly adds heat, Aleppo pepper has fruity, almost citrus-like undertones that really add something special to whatever you sprinkle it on.  Now I know why I’ve heard so many people rave about it!  Since I bought the container, it hasn’t left the side of my stove and I’ve been sprinkling it on just about everything.

Most recently, I added it to some sauteed summer squash and found that it changed the flavor of one of my summer staple side dishes dramatically and for the better.

I make some variation of this every summer when squash is in abundance.  I usually just chop up whatever I have on hand and throw it all in a skillet with some olive oil.  Yesterday I had half a large red onion, some yellow squash and zucchini, and a handful of cherry tomatoes.

I cut it all up, let it cook until the moisture evaporated enough for the veggies to take on a bit of color, then seasoned it up with salt and Aleppo pepper.  Simple and delicious!

Summer Squash with Tomatoes and Aleppo Pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 small to medium red onion, cut in half and sliced or julienned
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound assorted summer squash, sliced crosswise 1/4-inch thick
1 heaping cup cherry tomatoes
kosher or sea salt, to taste
1 teaspoon crushed Aleppo pepper, or to taste

Heat a wide skillet over medium heat.  Add olive oil and butter then onions.  Cook onions, stirring, for about a minute, then add the chopped garlic and stir for another 30 seconds.  Add the rest of the vegetables and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 12 – 15 minutes, or until the squash and onions start to take on a bit of color and the tomatoes are bursting.   Remove from heat and add Aleppo pepper.  Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

More ways to use Aleppo Pepper:

• Muhammara (Walnut and Pomegranate Spread) from The Perfect Pantry
• Sour Cream Cornbread with Aleppo from Smitten Kitchen
• Spicy Grilled Eggplant with Red Pepper, Parsley, and Mint from Kalyn’s Kitchen
• Charred Cherry Tomato Pasta with Aleppo Pepper from Sippity Sup
• Yogurt-Cheese Balls in Garlic-Dill Oil with Aleppo Pepper from Leite’s Culinaria