HOW and WHAT to eat in Turkey advises Archaeologous
HOW and WHAT to eat on Turkish vacation
Dining on Turkish cuisine is rather well known globally. I have read that it is now the 3rd most recognized cuisine after French and Chinese. I don’t know about that but I do know, it’s great! Why? When I was there we tried to eat morning noon and night just to experience as much as possible before going home. The spice market has a reason for being popular for the last 600 years! The food actually “looks” good as well being super healthy for your body. Beans, rice, eggplants, cucumbers, peppers (black, green, and red), lentils, and tomatoes, lamb, fruits all combining for a culinary orgasmic fusion of taste. There is such an abundance of fruits in Turkey, that with most Turkish dishes cherries, figs, almonds, apricots, lemons, grapes, melons, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, and watermelon are used in abundance. Turkey is, and has been, famous for its spices and the use of paprika, cinnamon, mint, cumin, garlic, and parsley in their Turkish recipes.
Snack Time in Turkey~~~Of course you candy lovers will go for the famed Turkish delight found in the Istanbul’s spice market or on the street, which is like a soft taffy with pistachios. However, one food that doesn’t roll off the tongue as well is Simit. This is the local “snack food of choice”. Picture a large pretzel crossed with a bagel and covered in baked sesame seeds. They are easy to get (they are sold by vendors with little carts everywhere) and affordable. Plus, keep a eye out for the “Simitci”, (simit sellers) who carry huge trays of the snack on the tops of their heads.
Turkish Appetizers~~~The more traditional Turkish appetizers can be a whole meal so pace yourselves. Some popular dishes to order would be dolma (stuffed grape leaves), fresh baked bread (which can become addictive) baked pepper dishes, eggplant purees, melon,and vegetables (often cooked in olive oil).
Turkish Breakfast~~~If you are in a hurry for a tour or something, grab a borek or pocas, (little pastries stuffed with ingredients like cheese, minced meat and olives). Or, if you have plenty of time, have the traditional Turkish breakfast which starts with a cup (or two) of tea. A boiled egg freshly baked bread, cucumber, olives, sliced tomatoes, and white cheese, (very much like a Mediterranean salad)
Turkish Lunch~~~If you are between tourist locations and don’t want to miss anything by sitting down then,--- grab a doner sandwich. They are sandwiches prepared quickly, are tasty and affordable made from large chunks of rotisserie roasted chicken or lamb . This is done vertically and then sliced off and put into the freshly baked bread.
Turkish Dinner~~~If you are still hungry after the appetizers then order your dinner’s main course. Usually this will be some of meat (usually roasted), a green salad or a vegetable dish (sometimes both), and more fresh baked bread. Pork is offered on menus (at 5 star hotels only) however, beef, chicken, and lamb are the most common meats available in Turkish restaurants. If you are looking for seafood, then stay along the seacoast.h.
Once dinner is finished, there is the "after"-dinner Turkish coffee or tea.– The coffee is thick, served in tiny cups and women tell fortunes from the residue at the bottom of the cup..I did mention "thick". TIP: be careful, it packs a punch as it is said to be five times stronger than espresso
