Tantuni facts for kids
Tantuni is a super tasty and a bit spicy dish from Mersin, a city in Turkey. It's made with small pieces of beef or sometimes lamb cooked quickly on a special round griddle called a sac. This dish is a popular street food and a favorite for many people!
What is Tantuni?
Tantuni is a delicious wrap or sandwich. The main part of the dish is thinly sliced meat, usually beef, cut into long, thin strips, like matchsticks. This way of cutting is called julienne cut. The meat is then cooked on a special round, flat griddle called a sac, which is like a big, shallow pan. A little bit of cotton oil, which comes from cotton seeds, is used to cook it.
How is Tantuni Made?
Making Tantuni involves a few steps to get it just right.
- First, the meat is crushed and boiled in salted water until it's tender.
- After boiling, the meat is quickly fried on the sac griddle with a little cotton oil.
- Once the meat is cooked, it's wrapped inside a thin, flat bread called lavash.
- Fresh ingredients are added to the wrap, like chopped onions, slices of tomato (often without their skin), green peppers, and fresh parsley.
- Finally, the wrap is seasoned with pepper, salt, and other spices to give it that famous spicy kick.
Why is Tantuni Popular?
Tantuni is a very popular street food in Turkey, especially in Mersin. Many people choose it as a quick and delicious meal. It's often seen as a healthier and more traditional choice compared to other fast foods like hamburgers or pizza. Tantuni is usually served with a refreshing yogurt drink called ayran and some crunchy pickled peppers on the side. It's a great way to enjoy a taste of Turkish culture!
