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Zesty Tunisian Ojja with Spicy Merguez Sausages

Name: Zesty Tunisian Ojja with Spicy Merguez Sausages
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Brunch
Ingredients: Merguez sausages, 8 spicy, preferably lamb; Olive oil, 2 tablespoons; Onion, 1 large, finely chopped; Garlic, 3 cloves, minced; Tomatoes, 2 large, peeled and diced; Tomato paste, 1 tablespoon; Harissa paste, 1 teaspoon; Ground cumin, 1 teaspoon; Salt and pepper, To taste; Eggs, 4 large; Salt, A pinch; Black pepper, A dash; Fresh cilantro, Roughly chopped handful

Ojja is a vibrant and spicy Tunisian dish made with eggs, tomatoes, and Merguez sausages, perfect for brunch.

4.4(668 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 8, 2025

Zesty Tunisian Ojja with Spicy Merguez Sausages — Brunch served and photographed from above

Prep

15 min

Cook

45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Sausages

For the Tomato Base

For the Eggs

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 474 kcal
Protein: 27.5 g
Carbs: 11.5 g
Fat: 37.25 g
Fiber: 2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1894 kcal
Protein: 110 g
Carbs: 46 g
Fat: 149 g
Fiber: 8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Merguez sausages 8 spicy, preferably lamb	1200	80	8	100	0
Olive oil 2 tablespoons	240	0	0	28	0
Onion 1 large, finely chopped	60	1	14	0	3
Garlic 3 cloves, minced	15	1	3	0	0
Tomatoes 2 large, peeled and diced	60	3	14	1	4
Tomato paste 1 tablespoon	15	1	4	0	1
Harissa paste 1 teaspoon	5	0	0	0	0
Ground cumin 1 teaspoon	8	0	1	0	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Eggs 4 large	280	24	2	20	0
Salt A pinch	0	0	0	0	0
Black pepper A dash	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh cilantro Roughly chopped handful	1	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Sausages

1
Prick sausages
Prick the Merguez sausages and set aside.
2
No marination needed
No additional marination is needed.
3
Optional sauté
Optionally, you can sauté them briefly to intensify the flavors.

Preparing the Tomato Base

1
Heat oil
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2
Sauté onions
Add onions and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
3
Add remaining ingredients
Stir in garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, harissa, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Tip: Ensure the tomato paste is fully cooked to avoid a metallic taste. Use ripe tomatoes for a naturally sweeter sauce.

How to Make Zesty Tunisian Ojja with Spicy Merguez Sausages

Total time: 1 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Sautéing Sausages
In a separate pan, lightly brown the sausages until cooked through.
2
Simmering Base
Let the tomato base simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3
Poaching Eggs
Create small wells in the sauce, crack eggs into the wells, cover, and poach for 5 minutes until whites are set but yolks remain runny.