A group of housewives in Kayseri both prepare tomato paste for the table of the people of Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Iraq with traditional methods in cauldrons and teach how to make tomato paste at the "Tomato Paste Days" event of the Melikgazi Municipality.

Many housewives in Anatolia are in a hurry to prepare tomato/pepper paste to be consumed in winter in order to contribute to the family budget and bring traditional tastes to their dishes.

Zakire Hikmet, President of Kayseri Afghan Refugee Assistance Association, stated Anadolu Agency that dozens of foreign nationals came together as part of the "Tomato Paste Days" organized by the Melikgazi Municipality.

Stating that they learned how to make tomato paste from experienced people here, Hikmet said, "We saw the Tomato Paste Days activity of the Melikgazi Municipality on the internet. We organized a social cohesion activity with our people from Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Iraq in Kayseri. In this way, they also learn how to make tomato paste."

Stating that these things are learned more easily when they are done together, Hikmet also emphasized that people get to know each other and become friends.

"We rolled up our sleeves to be useful to people"

Nuray Alkan, who taught foreign nationals how to make tomato paste voluntarily, explained that the washed tomatoes were pulled from the machines and boiled for 6 hours and then put in jars after adding salt and pepper.

Emphasizing the importance of helping people, Alkan said, "I came to help our refugee people. So foreign women will be able to make their own tomato paste from now on” And Alkan wished foreign nationals to consume the paste with pleasure.

Zübeyde İlhan also expressed that she is very pleased to do business in cooperation with people from different countries.

Kilos of tomatoes are passed through strainers called "colanders" and separated from their pulp, then salted and left to stand for a few days.

Tomato juice, which is then poured into copper cauldrons, is boiled until it reaches the consistency of thick paste.

Tomato paste filled in jars adds flavor to the dishes throughout the winter.

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Source: AA