One of the most beloved dishes in Turkey is pide, a flatbread or pizza that combines various flavors and ingredients. From its crispy texture to its unique flavor profile, pide has become a staple in Turkish cuisine. This tasty dish can be found in restaurants all over Turkey and is often served as a snack or light meal option. Let’s look at what makes pide so unique and how you can taste this traditional dish when traveling through Turkey.
What is Pide?
Pide (pronounced “pee-deh”) is considered both a flatbread and a pizza, depending on your region. It is made from dough rolled into an oblong shape and then topped with various ingredients such as cheese, ground beef, onions, peppers, olives, eggplant, spinach, and tomatoes. The dough is usually cooked on an open fire in an oven called a sac ekmegi, which gives it its distinctive smoky flavor. The result is a delicious combination of warm doughy goodness with savory toppings cooked to perfection.
The Regional Variations of Pide
Depending on local preferences and the ingredients available, Pide can vary significantly from region to region. In some areas, it may be topped with spicy sausage, while others prefer more traditional toppings like cheese or vegetables. Some parts even put sweet fillings like honey or chocolate inside the dough for added sweetness! Despite these variations, there are two main types of pide commonly found throughout Turkey – lahmacun (which contains ground beef) and sucuklu (which contains spicy sausage).
Where to Find Pide in Turkey
You can find pide almost anywhere throughout Turkey, but some cities are known for their unique versions of this traditional dish. For example, Istanbul has become famous for its lahmacun, while Adana has become renowned for its sucuklu variation. Other cities, such as Ankara, also offer their delicious variations of this popular dish, so make sure to explore around when traveling through the country to try different types!
Final Thoughts:
Pide is one of the most beloved dishes in Turkish cuisine, showing no signs of fading away anytime soon! From its crispy texture to its flavorful ingredients, there’s something about this traditional flatbread that keeps us coming back for more each time we visit Turkey. So next time you’re looking for something delicious to eat while traveling through Turkey, make sure to give pide a try – your taste buds won’t regret it!
Pide Recipe: BBCgoodfood.com
