Tastes of Slow City

A “Tastes of Slow City” seminar was held at YESAM - Culinary Arts Center, introducing the tastes from Seferihisar, the first “Cittaslow” of Turkey. Journalist and Slow Food Izmir Bardacik Convivium leader Nedim Atilla, started his presentation by explaining the principles of Slow Food and requirements to become a “cittaslow.” Following his speech, Ms. Neptun Soyer, the leader of Teos convivium and founder of Hidirlik Cooperative, took the stage and talked about all the activities and operations of the cooperative.

Ms. Soyer, gave information on the website “Seferipazar,” a shopping portal of Hidirlik Cooperative: “Shopping from Seferipazar means so much more than ordinary internet shopping. By shopping at Seferipazar, the consumer receives delicious products while protecting their health, the nature, and the local producers. Thanks to all our consumers for creating this small but prosperous difference...”

All the products sold on the Seferipazar internet site are purchased from the local farmer’s market set up on Tuesdays and Fridays.The only condition the sellers need in order to be able to sell their products at this market place is that all the products have to be grown or produced locally. The municipality is looking to increase awareness and revive farming in the area. The olive oil that comes from Godence, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins and all the other vegetables and fruits coming from Ulamis, are becoming increasingly well-known in the area. Since there is no middleman involved, the prices tend to be lower, making both the buyer and the seller happy.

After the seminar, the participants had a chance to taste some local Seferihisar dishes such as stuffed kid, pumpkin cooked in olive oil, artichokes braised with horse beans, and cheesecake with tangerine marmalade all prepared by Turkan Cinar and Fatma Karabulut. Ms. Soyer distributed little sacks full of tangerine flowers and bunches of French lavender to the participants for them to take home.

24 April 2013

Lecture video is in Turkish.