The neighborhood has virtually turned into a smokeless factory! They can't keep up with the orders.

29.05.2026 11:01

The vegetable drying tradition that began approximately 70 years ago in the Nazilli district of Aydın has transformed into a large production network providing employment for over 100 people. The Kabakçı family, processing 1,500 tons of products annually, sends their naturally dried vegetables all over Turkey, turning the neighborhood into a "factory without chimneys."

In the Nazilli district of Aydın, the art of carving vegetables for drying, passed down from grandfather to grandson, allegedly started in 1956 when Tahsin Kabakçı's grandfather began carving dried eggplants. Over the years, with a developing production network, many vegetables such as stuffed peppers, frying peppers, tomatoes, beans, okra, and zucchini are now dried using natural methods and sent all across Turkey.

500 TONS OF PRODUCTS PROCESSED ANNUALLY

Tahsin Kabakçı, the third-generation representative of the family, stated that they process approximately 1,500 tons of products annually and said that the most important factor in the preference for their products is their naturalness. Kabakçı said, "Apart from eggplants, we now dry every type of vegetable. We do not use any additives. We wash our products with the drinking water we use at home. Then we soak them in water for about 45 minutes and spread them under the sun. Depending on the sun's condition, the drying process is completed within 1-2 days."

"WE HAVE ALMOST TURNED THE REGION INTO A CHIMNEY-LESS FACTORY"

Stating that the natural air corridor of Yıldıztepe Neighborhood greatly contributes to the quality of the products, Kabakçı said that the production in the region has also created an important source of income for the local residents. Kabakçı said, "This business has become a means of livelihood for the neighborhood residents. We have almost turned the region into a chimney-less factory. Thanks to the air corridor of our neighborhood, our products dry naturally and reach all across Turkey. We contribute to both production and employment. We continue our work with great passion and enthusiasm."