Elazığ dried vegetables see high demand at historic bazaar

Dried vegetables, locally known as “kofik,” have arrived for sale at the historic Closed Bazaar in Elazığ. These products, which include peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and zucchinis, are prepared by hollowing them out and hanging them on strings to dry throughout the summer.

Local vendors report that demand is primarily driven by visitors from other cities and expatriates living abroad, as local residents typically prepare their own dried goods at home. Due to early rainfall, the production season has concluded, and vendors are currently selling remaining stock. While eggplant supplies were high this year, the scarcity of dried peppers is attributed to the high cost of fresh peppers.

Prices for bundles of 50 peppers, eggplants, or zucchinis range between 230 and 250 TL. Additionally, dried flower okra brought from Amasya is being sold at prices reaching up to 3,000 TL per kilogram.