Macedonian Cuisine at YESAM (Culinary Arts Center)

The Balkan Wars of 1912-1913 were followed by the forced exile of Turks from the Balkans to the East, resulting in the introduction of Macedonian cuisine into Anatolia. This month’s seminar at YESAM featured food and food culture with Macedonian origins.

Nedim Atilla, journalist and food culture researcher, indicated that “Macedonian Turks are still keeping their old traditions by integrating them into their daily lives today.  Learning the stories, folk songs, folkloric dances and food of Macedonian Turks is like a school that helps remind us of our forgotten values.” 

He continued by reading a passage from the book Viran Dağlar by Necati Cumalı. The passage was about the description of Macedonia in the old days, he added “Primarily we are the ones who should not be forgetting about this rich culture.”

At the end of his presentation, Mr. Atilla presented our hostess Kevser Aydoğdu who prepared the tasting for the seminar along with YESAM (Culinary Arts Center) chefs. Together they explained the significance of the dishes. Tasting included the following dishes;

Kestirmeli ön çorbası (Yogurt soup with rice)
Nohutlu işkembe (Tripe stew with chickpeas)
Petla (Baked crepes filled with yogurt cheese)
Perfırlena (Baked savoury pastry with cheese, onion and tomatoes)
Damat Paçası (Savoury pastry with lamb)
Sodalı Isırganlı Ekmek (Nettle and soda bread)
Domatesli Sirkeli Acı Biber Turşusu (Pickled hot peppers with vinegar and tomatoes)
Tükenmez (A fermented fruit drink)
Pekmezli Revani (Dumpling type dessert with grape molasses)

Along the participants were culinary art students of Beşiktaş Ortaköy Zübeyde Hanım Girls Technical and Vocational High School and Bağcılar Alaattin Nilüfer Kadayıfçıoğlu Girls Vocational High School.  

After the seminar, TCF’s Director Guler Koknar informed the audience about a map prepared by TCA (Turkish Coalition of America) marking the 100th anniversary of the Balkan Wars. Interested participants also received a hard copy of the map. The map can also be found by clicking at the link below.

http://turkishcoalitionofamerica.org/files/news/pdf/balkan-wars-map.pdf

Lecture video is in Turkish.