Türlü facts for kids
Macedonian turli tava
|
|
| Alternative names | Tourlou, turli perimesh, turli tava |
|---|---|
| Course | Main |
| Associated national cuisine | Turkish, Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek, Macedonian |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
Türlü is a delicious and hearty dish, a bit like a stew or a casserole, that's popular in Turkey and many countries in the Balkans. It's usually made with lots of different vegetables, and sometimes meat too. Imagine a mix of your favorite veggies all cooked together in one pot!
Contents
Discovering Türlü: A Mixed Vegetable Dish
Türlü is a type of casserole that comes from Turkish cuisine. It's known for being a mix of many different vegetables, all cooked slowly until they are tender and flavorful. This tasty dish is also very popular in countries around the Balkans.
Türlü's Many Names
In different places, Türlü has different names. For example, in Albania, it's called turli perimesh. In Greece, you might hear it called tourlou or tourlou tourlou. If you visit North Macedonia, it's known as turli tava. No matter the name, it's a dish full of flavor!
The Meaning Behind the Name
The word Türlü comes from an old Turkish word, türlüg. This word means "variety" or "mixed". This makes a lot of sense, as Türlü is famous for having a variety of ingredients all mixed together.
Cooking Türlü in Special Pots
Sometimes, Türlü is cooked in a special clay pot. In Turkey, this pot is called a güveç, and the dish made in it is called türlü güveç. In Bulgaria, they also use a similar pot. The Macedonian version, turli tava, is traditionally made in an earthenware pot called a tava. Cooking in these pots helps the flavors mix and makes the dish even more delicious.
What's Inside a Türlü?
The ingredients in Türlü can change a lot, depending on who is making it and where. But some vegetables are usually always there.
Common Vegetables in Türlü
Most Türlü dishes include:
- Potatoes
- Eggplants
- Okra
Other vegetables that are often added include:
- Green beans
- Bell peppers (like capsicum)
- Carrots
- Courgette (also known as zucchini)
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Garlic
Meat or No Meat?
While Türlü is often a vegetarian dish, some versions include meat. These are usually made with beef or lamb. In the Balkans, you might also find it made with pork.
How Türlü is Made and Served
To make Türlü, all the ingredients are mixed together. Then, they are baked in an oven until everything is soft and cooked through. Common seasonings include:
- Cooking oil
- Water
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Crushed red pepper
- Tomato paste or pepper paste
Türlü is usually served hot. People often enjoy it with a side of rice and some yogurt. It's a comforting and filling meal!
-
Türlü with veal
-
Türlü in a güveç
