Kabab koobideh Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Kabab koobideh
Kabab koobideh being grilled over hot coals alongside tomatoes
Alternative names	Koobideh, Kubideh, Kobida
Place of origin	Iran
Region or state	Golpayegan and Tehran
Main ingredients	ground lamb or beef

Kabab koobideh (Persian: کباب کوبیده) or Kobida (Persian: کوبیده) is a very popular Iranian dish. It is a type of kabab made from ground meat, usually lamb or beef. This tasty meat is often mixed with onions and pepper.

What Does "Koobideh" Mean?
How Kabab Koobideh Is Made
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What Does "Koobideh" Mean?

The name Koobideh comes from the Persian word koobidan. This word means "to slam" or "to beat." This name tells us how the meat was prepared a long time ago. People would place the meat on a flat stone. Then, they would smash it with a wooden hammer.

Kabab koobideh is cooked on a seekh (سیخ). This is the Persian word for a "skewer." It is similar to the Turkish Adana kebab.

How Kabab Koobideh Is Made

Kabab koobideh is often served with rice and grilled tomatoes.

Making Kabab koobideh involves a few steps. First, the meat is prepared.

Preparing the Meat

Chefs use either lamb or beef, or sometimes a mix of both.
The meat is ground twice. This makes it very fine and smooth.
Next, salt, black pepper, and finely grated onion are added.
Sometimes, one egg yolk is added for every pound of meat.
All these ingredients are mixed together very well.
The mixture is then covered. It rests in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Some people let it marinate overnight for more flavor.

Cooking the Kabab

Kabab koobideh is cooked on wide, flat skewers.
Traditionally, it is grilled over hot coals.
The heat from the coals cooks the meat perfectly.

How It Is Served

Kabab koobideh is usually served with chelow.
Chelow is plain white rice that has oil, salt, and saffron added.
Grilled tomatoes and onions are also served alongside the kabab.
A spice called sumac is often put on the table. People can sprinkle it on their kabab for extra taste.

Chicken Koobideh

There is also a chicken version of Kabab koobideh.
It is made with chicken meat, chives or green onions, parsley, salt, and pepper.
This chicken kabab is served over polow, which is also a type of plain white rice.
It comes with a grilled tomato, just like the meat version.