Serves 4
Pitas (package of 5)
For the Topping:
1 large red bell pepper (8 ounces; 225 g), stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small yellow onion (4 ounces; 115 g), quartered lengthwise
1 1/4 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt, divided; for table salt, use half as much by volume
1/4 cup (4 g) fresh parsley leaves and tender stems
3 tablespoons (45 g) mild biber salçasi pepper paste (see note)
2 tablespoons (30 g) tomato paste
2 medium garlic cloves (10 g), peeled
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces (225 g) ground beef, at least 15% fat, or ground lamb
Optional:
1 medium red onion (8 ounces; 225 g), thinly sliced
1/2 cup (8 g) fresh parsley leaves and tender stems, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons ground sumac
1 fruit (2-3/8" dia) lemon
For the Topping: In the bowl, combine bell pepper, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Optional: Put it all in a food processor, blend, then transfer mixture to a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl and let drain for at least 10 minutes (press down if needed).
Add parsley, pepper paste, tomato paste, garlic, allspice, paprika, cumin, pepper, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt.
Add ground meat to bowl/food processor and mix until mixture is just combined. Transfer to an airtight container and use right away or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Meanwhile, place red onion in a medium heatproof bowl, cover by at least 1 inch boiling water, and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain onion through a fine-mesh strainer then rinse for 10 seconds under cold running water and shake dry. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel or paper towel and pat dry. Return onion to bowl, along with parsley, sumac, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, season with salt and pepper to taste, and set aside. Squeeze in lemon juice.
To Assemble and Bake: Heat oven to 400.
Spoon topping on top of pita and bake for 10 minutes until pita is starting to brown. Remove from oven, place optional toppings and serve (you can fold them over and eat like a sandwich.