{{Short description|Middle Eastern hot sauce}} {{Infobox food | name = Shatta | course = Condiment | main_ingredient = Chili peppers, salt, olive oil, garlic | variations = Red shatta, green shatta | image = Jar of Red Shatta Paste.jpg | caption = A jar of red shatta }}
{{Distinguish|text=Shatta, a historical Palestinian village, Shatta Wale, a Ghanaian artist}}
'''Shatta''' ({{langx|ar|شطة|translit=shaṭṭah}}) is a hot sauce popular in the Middle East, and especially in the Levant. It is made from fresh chilli peppers, salt, and garlic, which are mixed together and then left to ferment.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spurrell |first1=Megan |title=A Hot Sauce Lover's Guide to the World |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-hot-sauces-from-around-the-world |website=Condé Nast Traveler |access-date=24 May 2025 |date=19 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="masterclass"/>
== Name ==
{{Wiktionary|شطة}}
The word ''shatta'' ({{langx|ar|شطة|translit=shaṭṭah}}) simply means "hot pepper" in Arabic;<ref>{{cite web |title=ترجمة و معنى شطة في قاموس المعاني عربي انجليزي |url=https://www.almaany.com/ar/dict/ar-en/%D8%B4%D8%B7%D8%A9/ |website=www.almaany.com |access-date=24 May 2025 |language=ar}}</ref><ref name="viceberger"/> as such, the term "shatta" is sometimes used in Arabic as a catch-all for hot pepper sauce, like sriracha.<ref>{{cite news |title=مواجهة بين تكساس وكاليفورنيا بسبب مصنع لـ {الشطة} |url=https://aawsat.com/home/article/106926 |access-date=26 May 2025 |work=aawsat.com |agency=Asharq Al-Awsat |language=ar |quote=مصنع «سريراتشا» لإنتاج الشطة الحارة |trans-title=Texas and California clash over hot pepper factory |trans-quote="Sriracha" Factory for producing hot pepper }} The Arabic word ''shatta'' is used for hot pepper in the Arabic text; the article clarifies it means hot pepper using parentheses.</ref>
Sometimes the name ''shatta Shamiyya'' ({{langx|ar|شطة شامية|translation=Levantine shatta}}) is used to refer to this condiment in Arabic.<ref>{{cite web |title=طريقة عمل الشطة الشامية |url=https://www.justfood.tv/%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%AA/28477/%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9 |website=Just Food |access-date=1 July 2025 |date=13 May 2022 |trans-title=How to make Shami hot sauce}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=مصر |first1=أهل |title=طريقة عمل الشطة الشامية {{!}} أهل مصر |url=https://ahlmasrnews.com/747811 |access-date=1 July 2025 |work=ahlmasrnews.com |date=19 November 2018 |language=ar-EG| trans-title=How to make Shami hot sauce}}</ref>
Another name for this is ''filfil mat’hoon'' ({{langx|ar|فلفل مطحون|translation=ground chili}}).<ref name="haddadschmitt" />
== Ingredients and preparation == Traditional shatta is made by crushing red or green chilli peppers and then letting them undergo lactic fermentation with salt for several days. Common additions include garlic during fermentation, or vinegar, lemon juice, or olive oil added once fermentation is complete. The texture of the paste can range from ground and pourable to chunky depending on how its processed; the peppers can be chopped, passed through a food processor, or pounded by mortar and pestle. The fermentation process can be skipped and the paste may be immediately served after preparation.<ref name="masterclass">{{cite web|url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/shatta-recipe-by-chef-yotam-ottolenghi|title=Shatta Recipe by Chef Yotam Ottolenghi|publisher=MasterClass|access-date=2025-05-23}}</ref><ref name="tamimiwrigley"/><ref name="haddadschmitt">{{cite book |last1=El-Haddad |first1=Laila M. |last2=Schmitt |first2=Maggie |author1-link=Laila_el-Haddad |title=The Gaza kitchen: a Palestinian culinary journey |date=2016 |publisher=Just World Books |location=Charlottesville, Virginia |isbn=978-1-68257-008-1 |page=28 |edition=Second |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/nMy3jwEACAAJ |access-date=24 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="viceberger">{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Miriam |title=In War-Torn Gaza, Hot Sauce Remains a Comforting Staple |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/in-war-torn-gaza-hot-sauce-remains-a-comforting-staple/ |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=VICE |date=16 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghafari |first1=Luay |title=Shatta (Authentic Middle Eastern Chile Paste) |url=https://urbanfarmandkitchen.com/shatta-authentic-middle-eastern-chile-paste/ |website=Urban Farm and Kitchen |access-date=26 May 2025 |language=en |date=5 October 2023}}</ref>
After preparation is done, the sauce should be stored refrigerated in sterilized jars, which contain no moisture to prevent spoilage.<ref name="tamimiwrigley">{{cite news |last1=Tamimi |first1=Sami |last2=Lewis |first2=Tim |last3=Wigley |first3=Tara |last4=Lewis |first4=interview by Tim |author1-link=Sami Tamimi |title=‘A love letter home’ – recipes and stories of the Palestinian table |url=https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/mar/15/ami-tamimi-tara-wigley-yotam-ottolenghi-palestinian-table-recipes-food |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=15 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="haddadschmitt"/>
The peppers used are usually fresh. They can be green or red, which will affect the color of the resulting condiment. The type of chilli used can vary.<ref name="tamimiwrigley"/><ref name="haddadschmitt"/>
Some traditional recipes may call for sun-drying the chilli instead of using it fresh, which would reduce the moisture further.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Najjar |first1=Abeer |title=Shatta {{!}} Homemade Chili Paste |url=https://abeernajjar.com/2020/08/10/shatta-homemade-chili-paste/ |website=Abeer Najjar |access-date=25 July 2025 |language=en |date=10 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Assil |first1=Reem |title=Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora [a Cookbook] |date=2022 |publisher=Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale |location=New York |isbn=9781984859082 |page=44}}</ref>
== Culinary uses == Shatta is used to enhance the flavor of many dishes, such as falafel, hummus, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. It can be used as dip, dressing, or garnish.<ref name="tamimiwrigley"/><ref name="masterclass"/>
== Popularity == Shatta is popular across the middle east, and particularly popular in the Levant region and Egypt,<ref name="masterclass"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ravindranathan |first1=Shreeja |title=Dubai 2021: 5 sauces from Global Village your pantry needs right now |url=https://gulfnews.com/food/dubai-2021-5-sauces-from-global-village-your-pantry-needs-right-now-1.1611656157779 |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |date=21 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref> its a staple in Gazan cuisine.<ref name="haddadschmitt"/><ref name="viceberger"/>
In many restaurants started by the Arab diaspora outside the middle east, shatta is served as condiment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside the kitchen of Moeen Abuzaid, chef-owner of Arbequina |url=https://torontolife.com/food/inside-the-kitchen-of-moeen-abuzaid-chef-owner-of-arbequina/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Toronto Life |date=19 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wells |first1=Pete |title=Shukette Brings Modern Middle Eastern Cooking to Manhattan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/21/dining/shukette-restaurant-review.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=25 May 2025 |date=21 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A new falafel stand in Koreatown stays open so late it also serves great breakfast |url=https://www.latimes.com/food/newsletter/2024-05-04/tasting-notes-salam-falafel-koreatown-bill-addison-tasting-notes |access-date=25 May 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=4 May 2024}}</ref>
== Similar foods ==
''Daggit toma wa lamoon'' ({{langx|ar|دقة ثوم و ليمون |translation=pounded garlic and lemons}}) is a very similar hot-and-sour condiment made from garlic, salt, green chilis and lemon juice. It is prepared in a mortar and pestle, then served fresh instead of fermented.<ref name="haddadschmitt" /> It is popular in Gazan cuisine,<ref name="haddadschmitt" /> and is a traditional topping for ''qudsiyeh'' (Jerusalem-style hummus) and ful medames.<ref>{{cite news |title=Qudsiya |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220730-qudsiya/ |access-date=17 August 2025 |work=Middle East Monitor |date=30 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kassis |first1=Reem |author1-link=Reem Kassis |title=Qudsiyeh (Hummus Topped With Fava Beans) |url=https://www.seriouseats.com/qudsiyeh-hummus-topped-with-fava-beans-recipe-8641078 |access-date=17 August 2025 |work=Serious Eats |date=4 Mar 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
== See also == * Chili sauce and paste * Harissa * Zhoug * Sriracha
== References == <references />
{{Hot sauce}}
Category:Arab cuisine Category:Levantine cuisine Category:Hot sauces Category:Middle Eastern cuisine Category:Yemeni cuisine Category:Chili sauce and paste