Ajika

Ajika is a spicy condiment associated chiefly with Abkhazia and the Mingrelia region of western Georgia, also prepared among Abaza communities in Sakarya Province, Turkey. It is built from capsicum peppers pounded with garlic, salt, and a mix of herbs and spices, sometimes with walnuts added, giving red versions a texture and appearance often compared to Italian pesto; a milder green version is made with unripe peppers, and drier, more paste-like forms also exist. Ajika is used to season meat, vegetables and other dishes across Georgian and Abkhazian cooking, and its cultural importance was recognized when it was added to Georgia's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018.