MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Amed –Women continue to prepare for winter. They prepare sun-dried vegetables, and red pepper and tomato paste for winter. Women in Amed (Diyarbakır) are working collectively to make red pepper and tomato paste these days.

“We work collectively”

Ayşe Çelik told us they come together every year this month to make tomato and red pepper paste for winter. “Now, we are making red pepper paste. I cut the peppers while my neighbors help me in a different way. Every year, we work collectively to make red pepper and tomato paste in our garden. I cannot make the paste alone. When my neighbors see I am going to make preparation for winter, they come and help me.”

Ayşe Çelik told us how they make the paste, “I first cut the red peppers into strips, and then I put them into a bag after washing them. After drying in the bags, we grind them with an electric mixer. We put the sauce under the sun for weeks. I do this every year. I get tried while making the paste but I like making it.”

She also makes tomato paste

Ayşe Çelik also makes tomato paste every year. “We make tomato paste in the same way. In winter, I use red pepper and tomato paste in meals. Some people buy red pepper and tomato paste from supermarkets. But they are very expensive and unhealthy. Making red pepper and tomato paste at home is healthier and cheaper.”