Libyan Shatta

Name: Libyan Shatta
Prep time: 15 min
Cuisine: Libyan
Ingredients: Dried red chile peppers — 50 g (1.75 oz); Fresh red chile peppers — 100 g (3.5 oz); Garlic cloves — 6; Ground caraway seed — 5 g (1.5 tsp); Extra-virgin olive oil — 60 ml (1/4 cup); Salt — 5 g (1 tsp); Fresh lemon juice — 10 ml (2 tsp)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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15 min (plus 20 min soaking)

Prep

0 min

Cook

Ingredients

Dried red chile peppers — 50 g (1.75 oz)
Fresh red chile peppers — 100 g (3.5 oz)
Garlic cloves — 6
Ground caraway seed — 5 g (1.5 tsp)
Extra-virgin olive oil — 60 ml (1/4 cup)
Salt — 5 g (1 tsp)
Fresh lemon juice — 10 ml (2 tsp)

Method

Soak dried chiles in hot water for 20 minutes to soften; drain and remove most seeds.
Combine softened dried chiles, fresh chiles, garlic, caraway and salt in a food processor; process to a fairly smooth
paste.
With the processor running, drizzle in olive oil until well combined.
Stir in lemon juice.
Transfer to a jar; the sauce is ready to use immediately and continues to develop flavour over the following days.

Cultural Background: A fiery, garlic-forward chile condiment central to Libyan cuisine, this shatta variant is distinguished from its Egyptian and Levantine cousins by its frequent inclusion in nearly every Libyan meal, from soups to the beloved dish bazin.

Tips: • Combining both dried and fresh chiles gives a more layered, complex heat than using just one or the other. • Caraway is a defining spice in Libyan shatta — don't skip it if possible.

Variations: • Add ground coriander seed for extra aromatic complexity. • Adjust the fresh-to-dried chile ratio for a milder or more intense version.

Storage: Refrigerate in a sealed jar up to 1 month.

Reheating: Not applicable; used cold as a condiment or stirred into hot dishes. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 60 kcal, 0.6 g protein, 5.5 g fat, 3 g carbohydrate per 15 g serving. FAQs What is Libyan shatta traditionally served with? Nearly every Libyan meal, including soups, bazin (a traditional wheat dish), and grilled meats. How is it different from Egyptian shatta? Libyan shatta typically includes caraway and a mix of fresh and dried chiles, giving it a more complex, warmly spiced profile.

FAQs: What is Libyan shatta traditionally served with? Nearly every Libyan meal, including soups, bazin (a traditional wheat dish), and grilled meats. How is it different from Egyptian shatta? Libyan shatta typically includes caraway and a mix of fresh and dried chiles, giving it a more complex, warmly spiced profile.