Tuzlu Hitit Elma Sosu (TUZ-loo HEE-tit EL-ma SO-su)
Ancient Anatolian Flavored Applesauce
This Savoury Hittite Applesauce recipe offers a unique twist on a classic, incorporating the rich flavors of marjoram and onions for a taste reminiscent of ancient Hittite cuisine. Perfect for those seeking a savory version of the traditionally sweet dish.
Recipe Directions
To begin making this applesauce, we need to start with apples. I'd recommend using some green cooking apples - like Granny Smith, or Bramley - but any apple that isn't overly sweet or too bitter would work fine. Peel the skin from about three of these, and cut out the core of them. Then, roughly chop these into pieces, each about as big as your thumb. Remember to keep them all roughly the same size, so they'll cook evenly.
Toss three or four tablespoons of butter into the pot and put this over a medium-high heat for a few minutes, until the butter starts to melt. Don't let this get too hot, or you'll wind up making browned butter at best - which is actually delicious, but not what we're looking for here - or burnt butter at worst, which is just bad.
Next, finely chop a yellow onion. It sounds out of place for applesauce, based on modern perceptions of applesauce, but still. Toss your diced onion into your pot with the butter, and cook this for about 5 minutes, or until the onion starts to turn transparent at the edges.
When the onions are done, add your chopped and cored apples to the pot, along with a small amount of water, maybe 120ml or a half cup of water. Cover this all with a lid, and place it onto medium-high heat for about 15-20 minutes. Keep stirring this every few minutes, to make sure nothing is sticking to the pot and burning. The apples should break down into a soft mixture in this time.
Before you take it out of the pot, pour about a tablespoon's amount of fresh marjoram/oregano into it and mix it up. You can also use some Za'atar, which really suits this dish. But if you don't have that, then some thyme and marjoram/oregano will work as a quick substitute. In any case, stir this all together, before serving up! It's quite thick and lumpy, so if you're not too enticed by that, you can blend this all using an immersion blender, or food processor to make a smooth, much more appealing spread.History
Applesauce is a dish with a history stretching back millennia. This savory version challenges modern palates, offering a glimpse into the culinary world of the Hittites, where such versatile ingredients as apples and herbs were staples in their diet. More than just a condiment, this applesauce is a celebration of ancient Anatolian gastronomy, showcasing the Hittites' innovative use of flavors and cooking techniques.
Ingredients
1 onion, finely sliced3 apples, preferably a tart cooking variety, peeled, cored, and chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon marjoram/oregano, or za'atar as an alternative
120ml / ½ cup water
