For many people, the joys of living in a world of different cultures are getting to taste all the exciting cuisines. How flavors of a certain place differ so much from those in another part of the planet. Or the little similarities a country's cuisine can have with another. Or how the food can reflect a certain nation's history and heritage and how it makes a difference in their lives to this day. Take Turkey, for instance. Although its mostly Middle Eastern cuisine bears similarities with other countries from the same region, there are those that are distinctly Turkish. These five dishes are perfect examples.
Pide
Everyone attributes the pizza to Italy since it is one of
the country's most famous dishes. However, did you know that Turkey has its own version? Just like the Italian pizza, Turkey's 'Pide' is made up of a pastry base topped with cheese, meat, and vegetables. Though you'll rarely find one as round and large as its Italian cousin. A pide is mostly prepared in an elongated oblong shape, sliced horizontally or slightly angular. At times, the topics can be stuffed, with the crust surrounding all the delicious goodies. Either way, all the deliciousness stays the same!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ©William Neuheisel
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Şiş Kebap
Since Turkey is part of both the Middle East and the Mediterranean, expect some of the region's cuisines to overlap in this country. That's why the kebab is also as much a Turkish delicacy as it is in other countries in both regions. But here in Turkey, the '
Şiş Kebap' is particularly noteworthy. It's traditional street food in many cities in the country, especially in the capital city,
Istanbul. Made out of beef or lamb, at times, even chicken, the skewered dish is typically grilled to perfection and paired with vegetables to balance the taste out.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
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Köfte
Meatballs aren't just good for pairing with
Italian pasta! Here in Turkey, there's a type of meatball dish that's good on its own. It's called the '
Köfte.' What makes it different from its Italian counterpart, or the way other countries prepare and serve it for that matter, is that the meatballs are the stars of the show (or the dish). Whether paid with rice, vegetables, and the like, what you really taste the most are the köfte meatballs. In some regions in Turkey, you'll even find it drenched in yogurt! Now that's a uniquely Turkish take on it!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ©E4024
Kumpir
Want another Turkish street food staple? Try some '
Kumpir!' It's basically baked potato filled with all sorts of local delicacies. One mouthful will already be so much that it can already serve as lunch or dinner! But what should you fill one up with? Vegetables are great in bringing out the local flavor. From bell peppers to corn, just mince and slice some up and you're good to go! Beef, lamb, and shredded chicken would work for something meaty, most especially when you top it all off with a poached egg! Now that's mouth-watering!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ ©Mervat Salman
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Baklava
Finally, for dessert, there's the baklava. Although many other countries also consider this as part of their own traditional cuisines. Turkey has the best chance of really staking its claim. The sweet pastry originated from the Ottoman Empire, and while its power spread across many countries throughout the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean, the land that came to be known as Turkey was its seat of power. So it makes more sense that the baklava originated from Turkey. Nevertheless, this sickeningly sweet pistachio-filled syrup-drenched dessert is perfect to satisfy anyone's sweet tooth!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Turkish cuisine is argubaly one of the most underrated in the world. With so many exciting dishes and exotic delicacies, you wouldn't know where to begin! Well, these five will do you just fine for a start! They're as 'Turkish' as they come!
Any of these delicious traditional Turkish dishes will taste great when you enjoy them in your
luxury home here!
