The Moroccan cooked salad made with roasted peppers and tomatoes is called taktouka. It is a savory dish prepared from tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, paprika, olive oil, and other spices, with the vegetables cooked until tender and flavorful.
Taktouka is commonly served as part of a Moroccan spread of small salads and side dishes. It may be eaten warm, at room temperature, or chilled, usually with bread for scooping. The word is connected with the Arabic verb taktak, meaning “to grind,” reflecting the traditional practice of crushing or chopping the ingredients.
The peppers may be roasted or grilled before being combined with the tomatoes. This adds a smoky flavor and soft texture, while garlic, paprika, and olive oil provide the dish's characteristic savory depth. Recipes vary in how finely the vegetables are chopped and how much liquid is cooked away.
Taktouka is often confused with zaalouk, another Moroccan cooked salad. Zaalouk is centered on eggplant and tomatoes, whereas taktouka emphasizes peppers and tomatoes. It is also not the same as shakshouka, in which eggs are cooked in a spiced tomato-and-pepper sauce.