My Aunt is Turkish and I visited for two months last summer. I am an avid foodie and tried my best all summer to keep up with the locals, both in eating and drinking. After seeing a few of these forums I realize that a significant Turkish asset is being overlooked: the food. I have compiled a list of my favorite Turkish foods and welcome additional input!
1. Traditional Turkish Breakfast: fresh cheese (white and light), cucumbers, tomatoes, homemade butter, fresh bread, jam, olives, and hard boiled eggs. This may seem odd compared to the American breakfast of eggs, bagels, and bacon, but Turkey is scorchingly hot in the summer and most places do not have AC. This breakfast is filling, light, and consists of mainly cold dishes.
2. Simit: Similar to a thin bagel with sesame seeds. You can buy these anywhere, from street vendors to bakeries.
3. Fried anchovies: Unlike our perception of anchovies (smelly, salty, and fishy) the fresh anchovies lack the fishy taste and their meat falls right off the bone after they are breaded and fried. Delicious when coupled with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes.
4. Pide when stuffed with ground meat: This is also eaten as a breakfast dish, but I preferred it for lunch because it was fried and heavy with meat, but absolutely delicious.
5. Stuffed mussels (Midye Dolma): Mussels stuffed with seasoned rice. These can be picked up by vendors along the shore or in fancy restaurants, but when it is teamed with a beer the dish is good no matter what.
6. Potatoes!!! I had many potato dishes that were delicious, but be wary on hot days these dishes really weigh you down.
7. Chai: No matter how hot it gets there is no such this as cold chai, and refills are always free. You drink it in an hour shaped glass complete with a saucer.
8. Turkish Coffee: Very small servings, like the Chai, but a major kick of caffeine. They come in a variety of flavors and chocolate was my favorite
9. Lokma - Fried cookies, similar to donuts, and when they are covered in fresh honey are delicious. They also come in cinnamon or sugar.
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