Urfa Pepper (Turkey)
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When visiting Ihsan's family in Istanbul we always used to stop at the covered bazaar and buy a bag full of Urfa peppers (and strings of dried okra) to take home. Now we have them brought to us in even larger quantities by a dear friend.
It has a beautiful deep red color and a smokey, slightly sweet flavor. Urfa is a staple on the dinner tables of Istanbul. We use it everywhere--in rubs, as a distinctive flavoring for pastas, in soups and stews. It is less spicy than other chile peppers, but provides a more lasting build of heat.