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Samsa,
dolma, and manti |
I've eaten enough meals with the Meskhetian Turk families not only to learn
about some of their foods but also see what a typical meal is
like: A table is set to start with bread and homemade yogurt. The first course
is some kind of soup or small dish. Next is the main
course---a larger meat dish. A meal is wrapped up with chai and sweets
plus a course of fruit. |
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Here are a few of the foods I have learned about in my
time with the Turkish families. The dishes reflect the geographical
history of the Turks with elements of traditional Turkish, Uzbek,
and Russian foods.
Ekmek (bread) - Homemade bread is a staple of Turk meals. The
families make a wonderfully thick, moist round bread.
Dolma - While it refers to almost any vegetable stuffed with beef,
rice, and spices, the Turks tend to focus on using sour cabbage or
grape leaves for their dolma.
Hanim - A layered pastry dish of with beef or sometimes potatoes
Hinkal and manti - Two types of boiled dumplings
stuffed with beef, potatoes, or even sweet pumpkin.
Pilav - A traditional Turkish spiced rice dish often served
with potatoes or chicken
Chai (tea) - While there is not one special type or preparation, tea
is a staple in the daily life of the Turks.
Chorba (soup) - As with most soups, there are a number of varieties
of chorba. One Uzbek type contains roast beef and
lentils. Another common soup is tomato based with rice and chicken.
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