A Culinary Journey Through Turkish New Year’s Delights
Meze: The New Year’s feast often begins with an assortment of meze – small dishes such as stuffed vine leaves, ezme, hummus, and çiroz (sun-dried and spiced mackerel).
Kırmızı Mercimek Çorbası (Red Lentil Soup): A warm and comforting soup, symbolizing good luck, is a common starter for the New Year’s meal.
Yılbaşı Hindisi (New Year’s Turkey): Inspired by Western traditions, roasting a turkey for New Year’s has become a popular practice in many Turkish households.
Sarma and Dolma: Vine leaves or vegetables stuffed with spiced rice and sometimes meat, these dishes are a staple in festive Turkish meals.
Baklava and Turkish Delight: Sweet treats such as baklava and Turkish delight are indispensable, symbolizing sweetness and joy for the New Year.
Pilaf: Often made with bulgur or rice, pilaf is a comforting side dish, sometimes enriched with currants and pine nuts.
Balık (Fish): Many families opt for fish, particularly salt-baked sea bass or hamsi (anchovies), symbolizing abundance.
Revani or Şekerpare: Sweet, syrupy desserts made from semolina, these are a perfect end to the festive meal.
Rakı or Ayran: Depending on preference, the meal is often accompanied by rakı (an anise-flavored spirit) or ayran (a yogurt-based drink).
