{"id":5866,"date":"2021-12-10T10:51:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T10:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travel-factory.gr\/?p=5866"},"modified":"2021-12-10T11:14:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T11:14:36","slug":"meze-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travel-factory.gr\/?p=5866","title":{"rendered":"Meze Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The word \u201cmeze\u201d derives from the Persian word \u201cmaza,\u201d meaning \u201ctaste.\u201d\u00a0Meze<\/strong>\u00a0in T\u00fcrkiye is a way of life around the table, it is spending long hours in the company of loved ones. Meze are not there to full you up, but rather to change the tastes in your mouth while enjoying your\u00a0rak\u0131<\/strong>. In fact, many might argue that the conversation is by far the best meze to accompany your rak\u0131!<\/p>

Rak\u0131, the anise-flavored drink of Turks, is sometimes referred to as\u00a0“lion’s milk.”<\/p>

Nowadays, meze can be enjoyed with any kind of beverages. Especially the younger generation often likes to enjoy meze while drinking wine. In fact, Turkish wines are also a great accompaniment to the\u00a0meze sofras\u0131<\/strong>\u00a0(meze table).<\/p>

A meze can be anything served in small plates: herbs with yo\u011furt (can be served cold or warm),\u00a0tur\u015fu<\/strong>\u00a0(pickles),\u00a0ezine cheese<\/strong>\u00a0and melon, olive oil-based vegetable dishes,\u00a0zeytinya\u011fl\u0131 sarma<\/strong>\u00a0(stuffed grape leaves or cabbage leaves cooked in olive oil),\u00a0haydari\u00a0<\/strong>(strained yo\u011furt with herbs, spices, and garlic),\u00a0lakerda<\/strong>\u00a0(pickled bonito), arugula salad, tomato and onion salad, charred eggplant salad, marinated fish, octopus salad,\u00a0karides s\u00f6\u011f\u00fc\u015f<\/strong>\u00a0(boiled shrimps served cold with olive oil), saut\u00e9ed wild herbs served with garlic,\u00a0pilaki\u00a0<\/strong>(tomato sauce and olive oil-braised navy beans),\u00a0fava<\/strong>\u00a0(mashed fava beans served with onions and olive oil), olives,\u00a0\u015fak\u015fuka\u00a0<\/strong>(fried eggplants with tomato sauce), celery salad, artichokes in olive oil\u2026<\/p>

We should say that the meze table should be balanced in acid, fat, and salt. Toasted bread, pita bread, or cornbread may be served with the mezes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

10 TOP MEZES PICKS<\/strong><\/p>

On your journey through T\u00fcrkiye, you\u2019ll find many delicious and nutritious meals. Mezes are some of the most commonly available dishes, found in\u00a0meyhanes<\/strong>\u00a0(traditional Turkish taverns), restaurants, and caf\u00e9s. Mezes are typically a mixture of small hot and cold dishes, intended to be shared by those at your table. Here are 10 top picks for the next time you\u2019re looking at a menu.<\/p>

Cold Meze<\/strong><\/h5>

1.\u00a0<\/strong>Fava<\/strong>\u00a0– Mashed Broad Beans<\/strong><\/p>

Turkish cuisine is all about taking simple ingredients and making the most of them. In this meze, broad beans are cooked, mashed, and then formed into squares. Served with fresh diced onion, lemon, dill and a dash of olive oil, this dish is a classic, hearty meze.<\/p>

2.\u00a0<\/strong>Mercimek<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>K\u00f6ftesi<\/strong>\u00a0– Lentil Patties<\/strong><\/p>

Lentil patties are traditionally made out of lentils, mashed and shaped into patties with a red tomato sauce, freshly chopped parsley, and spring onion providing a fresh crunch with each bite. Mercimek k\u00f6ftesi are not only vegetarian but also vegan, and are widely available throughout the country.<\/p>

3.\u00a0<\/strong>Deniz B\u00f6r\u00fclcesi<\/strong>\u00a0– Samphire<\/strong><\/p>

Samphire (Crithmum) is a sea vegetable. T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s abundant coastline means samphire is available almost year-round. This is an excellent dish at any time of year but is particularly popular in the summer when the heat pushes most to the coast. The samphire is lightly cooked in garlic and then preserved in lemon juice and olive oil, allowing the natural flavors to come through.<\/p>

4.\u00a0<\/strong>Ezme<\/strong>\u00a0– Spicy Tomato Salad<\/strong><\/p>

Tomatoes and T\u00fcrkiye go hand in hand, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the humble\u00a0ezme<\/strong>. It is made by dicing tomatoes, peppers, chilies, onions, garlic, and herbs, and drizzling with lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and olive oil. This dish is often offered as a gift while you\u2019re waiting for your food to be prepared, but the humble ezme shouldn\u2019t be overlooked – it packs a punch when it comes to taste!<\/p>

5.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00c7erkes Tavuk\u00a0<\/strong>– Circassian Chicken<\/strong><\/p>

This is a hearty meze. Made of shredded chicken and diced walnuts, this dish is creamy, meaty, and has just the right amount of crunch. Traditionally dressed in fresh herbs, Circassian chicken is an interesting textural change from most of the other meze.<\/p>

Hot Meze<\/strong><\/h5>

1.\u00a0<\/strong>Pa\u00e7anga B\u00f6rek\u00a0<\/strong>– Beef and Cheese Pastry<\/strong><\/p>

Of the many types of\u00a0b\u00f6rek<\/strong>\u00a0found throughout T\u00fcrkiye,\u00a0pa\u00e7anga<\/strong>\u00a0is the star. It is thin pastry wrapped around tasty cheese and\u00a0past\u0131rma<\/strong>\u00a0(seasoned dry-cured beef) and lightly fried. The outside is crunchy and flaky, while the inside is a happy melding of the flavorful beef and the creamy, melted cheese.<\/p>

2.\u00a0<\/strong>\u0130\u00e7li K\u00f6fte<\/strong>\u00a0– Stuffed, Fried Meatballs<\/strong><\/p>

\u0130\u00e7li k\u00f6fte<\/strong>\u00a0is a handy snack on the go or a more substantial meze option. Ground meat is seared with onions, walnuts, and sometimes currants, and then shaped into balls before being encased in a mixture of bulgur, potato, and spices. It is then fried a golden brown. \u0130\u00e7li k\u00f6ftes are deeply satisfying, with a crisp outer shell and juicy, flavorful meat filling.<\/p>

3.\u00a0<\/strong>Past\u0131rmal\u0131 Humus<\/strong>\u00a0– Hot Hummus with\u00a0<\/strong>Past\u0131rma<\/strong><\/p>

For most, hummus is a meal served cold. In T\u00fcrkiye, hummus with past\u0131rma is a common hot meze. The hummus is served in a pot, hot out of the oven, with a thin layer of past\u0131rma laying atop. The past\u0131rma gives an extra meaty kick to the garlicky hummus. Dive in with some crusty bread – you won\u2019t be disappointed!<\/p>

4.\u00a0<\/strong>Karides G\u00fcve\u00e7<\/strong>\u00a0– Shrimp Casserole<\/strong><\/p>

Karides g\u00fcve\u00e7 is a deeply satisfying and delectable dish. Fresh shrimp is cooked in a simple sauce of butter and garlic. The dish is presented to the table still bubbling – will you wait to dive in or go for it? The seafood, while the star of the show, does have stiff competition from the garlic butter sauce. More bread for dipping anyone?<\/p>

5.\u00a0<\/strong>Bal\u0131k Kokore\u00e7<\/strong>\u00a0– Diced Spiced Fish<\/strong><\/p>

Not to be confused with traditional kokore\u00e7,\u00a0fish\u00a0<\/strong>kokore\u00e7<\/strong>\u00a0is finely diced fish that has been liberally seasoned with spices, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. This is a fresh, flavorful dish that will have you coming back for more.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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