Chakchouka — mild aubergine salad

Thala sweet chakchouka is an aubergine salad cooked in Kabylia, in the village of Thala Bouzrou. The aubergines are grilled over a wood fire and then cooked with onions following a traditional Kabyle recipe, which gives them a natural smoky taste. This mild version contains no chilli, so it suits the whole table. The cannery works by hand, with seasonal vegetables grown locally, and uses no additives or preservatives.

Shoppers serve it as a starter, straight from the jar with bread, or warm alongside grilled meat and roasts. It is also a quick base for shakshuka with eggs: pour it into a pan, crack the eggs on top and the dish is ready in minutes. A jar that answers the demand for ready-to-serve home-style food.

Why list it

• An artisanal Algerian brand that stands out on the shelf: yellow and green label, clear glass jar.
• A chilli-free recipe that works for families and children.
• Wood-fire cooking and manual preparation: a real point of difference from industrial preserves.
• Sells alongside the spicy version and mechouya salad for a mezze spread.
• Steady demand during Ramadan and the barbecue season.

On the shelf

Place Thala chakchouka in the Middle Eastern and North African grocery aisle or with aperitif spreads, next to harissa, olives and flatbreads. Suggest serving it with kesra or toasted bread, a drizzle of Thala Kabylia olive oil and a few olives. Once opened, keep the jar refrigerated.