# Traditional food preparation in Refahiye

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/traditional-food-preparation-in-refahiye
> Updated: 2026-08-27T07:06:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In the Refahiye district of Erzincan, local women are utilizing traditional methods to prepare various food supplies for the winter season. Using organic tomatoes, they produce items such as tomato paste, menemen preserves, tarhana, noodles, and rosehip marmalade.

The preparation involves boiling chopped tomatoes in copper cauldrons over wood fires for approximately two hours before storing them in glass jars. This process is driven by the ‘imece’ system, a method of community solidarity where neighbors work together to complete labor-intensive tasks.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: Refahiye women prepare traditional winter food supplies

Women in Refahiye, Erzincan, are using traditional methods and community cooperation to prepare winter food supplies, including tomato paste and preserves, from organic tomatoes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/refahiye-women-prepare-traditional-winter-food-supplies

### 2026-08-21: Ayvalık cooperative produces traditional tomato paste

Women in Ayvalık's Küçükköy neighborhood are producing traditional tomato paste using sun-drying methods through a local cooperative, boosting the regional economy.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ayvalk-cooperative-produces-traditional-tomato-paste

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Cite as: Traditional food preparation in Refahiye. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/traditional-food-preparation-in-refahiye