The story
Muhammara, whose Arabic name means roughly 'reddened', comes from Aleppo in northern Syria, an ancient trading city whose mild, fruity red pepper flakes are prized across the region. Cooks there blend roasted red peppers with walnuts, breadcrumbs, olive oil and tart pomegranate molasses into a thick, brick-red dip. The Aleppan historian Khayr al-Din al-Asadi listed it in his encyclopedia of the city's life. The dip travelled with Aleppo's communities, including its many Armenian families, and is now made across the Levant and southern Turkey, where Gaziantep has registered a version of its own.
Also known as mhammara, محمرة, acuka, red pepper and walnut dip.
On the Meridish menu
Muhammara was the starter course on menu No. 32 on November 1, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
A brick-red dip of roasted peppers, walnuts, breadcrumbs and pomegranate molasses. Its name means 'reddened', and it comes from an ancient trading city famed for its chilli flakes.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammara
- mirrorspectator.com/2021/03/25/recipe-corner-muhammara-red-pepper-and-walnut-dip-from-memories-of-aleppo
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
