Fish, Ice Cream, Watermelon: Enjoying the Summer Flavours of Turkey

(Patria) - From trying Turkish cuisine specialties from street vendors and at bazaars to visiting famous restaurants with phenomenal views, a holiday in Turkey is a true gastronomic delight, as this country is a destination for true gourmets!

Enriched by the civilisations that have passed through the territory of modern-day Turkey, national Turkish cuisine reflects a unique cultural blend that offers something for everyone. During the summer season, menus across the country mainly feature light, homemade dishes with olive oil, vegetables with herbs, and seafood from local seas.

Refreshing Trio

Sticking to the Mediterranean diet to stay healthy and in shape is relatively easy during a holiday in Turkey. Appetisers and main courses during all daily meals in restaurants or homes are made with olive oil. Green beans with olive oil are made throughout Turkey and consumed both as a main course and as an appetiser. To make meals lighter and healthier, meat consumption is lower during the summer, so dishes with aubergines, sarma, and dolma are also made without meat.

Herbs are constantly served in salads with plenty of olive oil, vinegar, or lemon. In Izmir, milk thistle (şevket-i bostan) or samphire (black sea bean) are most commonly used. Dishes from the Aegean region contain vegetables such as artichokes, courgette flowers, and other herbs unique to this region.

After the meal, a trio of melon-watermelon-white cheese is always served. This mixture of dairy products with fresh fruit is a specificity of this part of the world!

Ice Cream from Kahramanmaraş

On the Turkish Riviera during the summer, gourmets eat "tahini piyaz" – a bean salad with tahini sauce, tomatoes, and onions. Among the dishes of Eastern Anatolia, ayran aşı stands out – a cold yoghurt soup with wheat and chickpeas. It is prepared from various grains and seeds, depending on the region.

The best refreshment on hot days on the Turkish Riviera is a glass of cold juice from the most delicious oranges in the world, which grow in western Antalya, in the Finike marina.

The world-famous Turkish ice cream is Maraş from Kahramanmaraş. Ice cream made from goat's milk and the root of Maraş wild orchids planted in Kahramanmaraş is perfect for cooling down on hot summer days.

Its thick texture and flavour make it different from classic ice cream, and the secret of this type of ice cream lies in its ingredients, which originate from these regions.

Fresh Fish

Fish is consumed in Turkey throughout the year, especially in summer. As a country surrounded by three seas, Turkey has an abundance of seasonal seafood species.

In summer, fish is prepared on the grill, and it is often steamed with vegetables. At the end of a hot summer day, with a breeze on the coast, white wines from local grape varieties such as Misketi, Emir, and Narince are consumed. The best wines hold a place in Turkey's international hotel and catering industry.