Turkish cuisine specialties for Eid al-Adha

As Eid al-Adha approaches, Turkish cuisine takes center stage with a variety of traditional dishes that showcase the rich flavors and cultural heritage of the region. But before diving into these culinary delights, it’s essential to understand the significance of this special day and how it is celebrated in Türkiye.

Eid al-Adha in Türkiye

Eid al-Adha, known as Kurban Bayrami in Türkiye, is one of the most important religious holidays in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

According to Islamic tradition, God intervened and provided a ram to sacrifice instead. This story is celebrated by Muslims worldwide through the ritual of animal sacrifice, symbolizing devotion, faith, and obedience.

In Türkiye, Eid al-Adha is a public holiday, marked by communal prayers, charitable activities, and family gatherings. The celebrations typically last four days, during which families come together to share meals and distribute portions of the sacrificial meat among the needy, neighbors and relatives.

The act of sharing meat fosters a sense of community and ensures that everyone can partake in the festive spirit.

Celebrations in Türkiye

On the first day of Eid al-Adha, Muslims in Türkiye attend special prayers at mosques. Following the prayers, the ritual sacrifice, known as “kurban,” takes place. Families often purchase animals, such as sheep, goats, or cows, in the days leading up to the holiday.

The meat from the sacrifice is divided into three parts: one-third is given to the poor and needy, one-third to relatives and friends and one-third is kept for the family.

The holiday is also a time for visiting friends and family, exchanging gifts, and enjoying festive meals. Traditional Turkish dishes play a central role in these celebrations, reflecting the country’s rich culinary heritage.

So let’s explore some of the beloved dishes prepared during this festive period, each with its unique story and taste.

Perde Pilavi

Perde Pilavi might become your new favorite dish if you haven’t tried it yet. This dish combines rice cooked in chicken broth with an almond pastry crust. It’s labor-intensive but worth the effort.

Each ingredient in Perde Pilavi carries its symbolism: rice represents prosperity, black pepper signifies tough times, currants symbolize sweet moments, almonds represent sons, pistachios daughters, and the pastry crust symbolizes family secrets.

Often served at weddings, this dish embodies Turkish traditions and is perfect for Eid al-Adha.

Recipe for Perde Pilavi

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 350 g flour
• 200 g butter
• 2 eggs
• A pinch of salt
• 4-5 tbsp cold water
• Whole peeled almonds

For the filling:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups rice
• 1 tsp allspice
• Handful of pine nuts
• Handful of currants
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 3 cups water

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, butter, and salt by hand until the texture appears crumbly.
2. Add eggs and water, mix into a dough, wrap in plastic and chill.
3. Grease a baking bowl with butter, decorate with almonds.
4. Roll out the dough and line the bowl, leaving excess to cover later.
5. For the rice, soak currants in warm water. Saute rice in butter and olive oil, add pine nuts, allspice, salt and black pepper.
6. Add water, cover and cook until the rice is almost cooked.
7. Fill the dough-lined bowl with the rice mixture, cover with excess dough.
8. Cover with foil and bake at 180°C for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 more minutes.
9. Invert to serve.

Sac Kavurma

Sac Kavurma is a straightforward yet flavorful dish. Diced meat is cooked on low heat until it releases and reabsorbs its juices. Then, chopped onions, peppers, and tomatoes are added, seasoned with salt and black pepper, and cooked until the tomatoes are reduced.

This dish is typically served with rice and salad, offering a satisfying meal that celebrates the festive spirit of Eid al-Adha.

Recipe for Sac Kavurma:

Ingredients:

• 400 g beef tenderloin
• 150 g beef fat
• 2 green peppers
• 1/2 red pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Flatbread (lavash)

Instructions:

1. Mince the beef fat, heat on a griddle until it melts.
2. Add diced beef, cook without overcrowding, stirring frequently.
3. As the beef cooks, push it to the edges, adding more in the center.
4. Dice green and red peppers, slice garlic and add to the griddle.
5. Season with salt and pepper, cook until peppers are tender.
6. Serve with flatbread.

Islim Kebab

Islim Kebab is a traditional dish perfect for Eid al-Adha. Ground beef is mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, parsley, egg, garlic, and spices, shaped into patties, and fried. Eggplant slices are also fried and used to wrap the patties. The kebabs are secured with toothpicks, topped with cherry tomatoes and green peppers, and baked with a savory tomato sauce. This dish is a beautiful blend of flavors and textures.

Recipe for Islim Kebab:

Ingredients:

For the Kebabs:

• 500 g ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 grated onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 4 tbsps breadcrumbs
• A handful of parsley, chopped
• Salt
• Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin

For the sauce:

• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 5 tomatoes, chopped
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup beef broth

To fry:

• Sunflower oil
• 4-5 eggplants
• 3 green peppers
• 3 tomatoes

Instructions:

1. Mix ground beef with egg, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, and spices, and form into patties.
2. Peel and slice eggplants, soak in salted water, then fry until golden.
3. Fry the patties.
4. Wrap each patty with eggplant slices, secure with a toothpick, topped with a tomato and green pepper slice.
5. Place in a baking dish, cover with sauce made from olive oil, tomatoes, spices, and beef broth.
6. Bake at 200°C for 30 minutes.

Balon Kebab

Balon Kebab offers a unique culinary experience. The meat is cooked until it reabsorbs its juices, then sauteed with onions and peppers. After adding tomatoes and spices, the mixture is cooled.

The dough is rolled out, and the meat filling is placed between two layers. The edges are sealed, and the top is inflated using a straw before baking. The result is a visually stunning and delicious dish that will impress any guest.

Recipe for Balon Kebab:

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 3 tbsp yogurt
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1 packet baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups flour

For the filling:

• 500 g cubed beef
• 1 onion
• 2 green peppers
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1.5 cup water
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

For the Topping:

• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

1. Cook beef until it releases and reabsorbs its juices. Add water, and cook until absorbed.
2. Saute beef in butter with onion and peppers, then add tomatoes and spices.
3. Cool the filling.
4. Mix dough ingredients, let rest, then divide into eight balls.
5. Roll each to 20 cm diameter, place filling on one, cover with another.
6. Seal edges, insert a straw, inflate, and seal.
7. Brush with egg yolk and milk, bake at 180°C until golden.

These dishes not only offer a feast for the senses but also embody the cultural richness of Turkish cuisine.

This Eid al-Adha, embrace the opportunity to try these traditional recipes and savor the flavors that have been cherished for generations.