Generally, it might be the best to go to your local market and buy everything fresh when you want to prepare a rakı table at home. However, conditions may change and we can still set up a nice rakı table without freshly chosen food.

Delicious mezzes can be made with preserved foods too. We've put together the alternatives of our favorites that can be made with preserved foods for you.

Here are four different and simple meze recipes you can make with preserved foods.

A Rakı Table Favorite: Aubergine Dip

Let's start with a classic that will make anyone crave with the smell of burnt aubergines. Look on the bright sides of using preserved burnt aubergines: this way, while we're saving a lot of time, we're also bypassing the effort of peeling burnt aubergines and the smell that lingers on the fingers. All you need to do is ordering your ingredients and your rakı.

Aubergine Dip RecipeIngredients:1 can of aubergine2-3 cloves of garlic2 tbsp of mayonnaise3 tbsp of olive oil1, 5 tsp of sea saltParsleyBeetroot stalks (optional)Method:Chop the preserved eggplants and transfer into a medium mixing bowl. Smash garlic and mix with 2 tbsp of mayonnaise, 1,5 tsp of salt, 3 tbsp of olive oil and chopped eggplants. Serve with chopped beetroot stalks, a sprig of parsley and slices of toasted sourdough bread.

One of The Creamiest: Hummus:

We don't know when exactly hummus got so popular, but we can understand why, considering its taste. The most important aspect of good hummus is its creamy texture that you don't feel any crunches in your mouth. The key to achieve this texture is peeling boiled chickpeas and mixing all ingredients for a long time.

While it's easy to peel chickpeas you boiled from scratch, you might think it may be harder with preserved chickpeas. Don't worry; there is a trick for that too. Take the chickpeas you drained and put them in boiling water. After 30-40 seconds, take them in cold water. You'll se how easy the skins peel. Now let's move forward with the rest of the recipe.

Hummus RecipeIngredients:A bowl of preserved chickpeasExtra virgin olive oil2 cloves of garlic100 ml tahini1 lemon2 tsp of saltCayenne pepperMethod:Place the chickpeas in a food processor, blend them a full minute. Then add 3 tbsp of olive oil, 2 cloves of crushed garlic, 100ml tahini, juice of a lemon, 2 tsp of salt and continue to blend. Add olive oil or 1-2 tbsp of water until it gets smooth and creamy. Taste and add salt or lemon, if needed. Place the hummus in a bowl, drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with cayenne pepper.

You can also find the recipe video here

Good for Our Health and Tummies: Artichoke Dip

From March through June you can easily find fresh artichokes on stalls but you can use preserved artichokes all year around to make mezzes. Artichokes are both delicious and have lots of benefits. The most important thing to do while using preserved artichokes is to rub them with lemon or put them in a bowl with lemon juice. That's how you can prevent the artichokes from getting darker. While the artichokes are waiting in the water, it's time to prepare other ingredients.Here is the delicious artichoke dip recipe:Artichoke Dip RecipeI****ngredients:4-5 artichokes3-4 shallots2-3 cloves of garlic100 ml mild cream cheeseParsleyA lemon

Olive oil

SaltMethod:Place the artichokes into a pan with shallots and garlic. Sauté them with olive oil and water. Transfer the mixture to a blender and add other ingredients one by one. Mix them together until they become smooth enough. And voila, your delicious vegetarian artichoke dip is ready. Spread the dip on to toasted baguette slices and serve with Yeni Rakı.Video of the recipe is here.

Another Mezze With Chickpeas: Falafel

Being one of the most delicious choices for vegans, with falafel you can have a full-on Levantine feast, if you've already made hummus to pair with. In the video below, you'll learn all steps for a good falafel. All you have to do is ordering the ingredients and Yeni Rakı.

If you've decided to make the recipe, while chilling the falafels in the fridge, take a look at these Spotify playlists we've prepared for all kinds of rakı tables to get in the mood.

Now whatever the conditions are, you have four delicious mezze recipes you can make with preserved foods for your rakı table. Maybe, you would like to add more mezzes next to these four, like haydari, which is simply made with just few ingredients. What do you say?

Whichever mezzes you have on your table, your best excuse to prepare a rakı table is “muhabbet” with your loved ones. Prepare your table, invite your friends or video call them. Share the moment, just like we always do at rakı tables.

Once you've prepared your table with these mezzes or the ones you may suggest, do not forget to share with us and use the hashtag #TogetherAtRakıTable.

Share, savour enjoy!