VIDHI BHOOTRA
Turkish cuisine has a rich history that dates back to the Ottoman Empire and beyond influenced by a variety of cultures, including Greek, Persian, and Arabic, Turkish cuisine has evolved over the centuries to become a unique and diverse cuisine with its own distinct flavours and ingredients.
One of the earliest examples of Turkish cuisine dates back to the Turkic migrations in Central Asia, where nomadic tribes would cook meat over and open flame and season it with local herbs and spices. As the Turks began to migrate into Anatolia, they brought these culinary traditions with them and adapted them to suit the local ingredients of flavours.
During the Ottoman Empire, Turkish cuisine flourished and became more refined, with the development of new cooking techniques and the incorporation of ingredients from around the world. The Ottoman sultans were known for their lavish banquets, which featured a wide variety of dishes and delicacies, including meze (small dishes served as appetizers), soup, stews, grilled meats and sweet pastries.
One of the most iconic dishes in Turkish cuisine is the kabab, which can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire. Other popular dishes in Turkish cuisine include Dolma (stuffed vegetables), Borek (savoury pastries filled with cheese or meat), and Pilaf (a type of rice dish). Turkish cuisine is also known for its wide variety of sweets and desserts including baklava, Turkish delight and halwa.
And the most favourite thing, Turkish ice cream also known as “Dondurma” has a rich and colourful history. One of the most iconic aspects of this is the way it is served. The ice cream vendor typically uses a long metal paddle to scoop the ice cream from the container and onto a flat metal plate. Then, they use the paddle to stretch and pull the ice cream, creating long, thin ribbons that can be wrapped around cones.
Turkish cuisine continues to evolve an adapt, with chefs and home cooks experimenting with new ingredients and techniques while still honouring the rich culinary traditions of their ancestors.
