We were wandering outside the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul when we smelled a heady blend of grilled meat, smoking charcoal and spices.
Our noses led the way to Kokorecciler Krali Zulfu (Kokorec King Zulfu), a streetside stand on Mercan Caddesi selling kokorec. We had no idea what that was but it sure smelled good.
As the cylinder of meat spun around on the rotisserie it was basted by its own melting fat which dripped onto the red-hot charcoal fire, creating the wonderful aroma.
After our order was placed the counterman tossed a crusty baguette onto the spit to toast it up. The cook chopped up some meat and flame roasted red peppers, scooped it onto the bread with a toss of oregano, paprika and crushed hot peppers and handed it to the by now delirious customer.
When it was our turn to be delirious we eagerly ripped into the sandwich. The flavor exploded on our taste buds. The combination of the grilled meat, fat, charcoal smoke and spices was wonderful.
We just spent a year traveling to 6 continents and this was the best sandwich of the entire trip.
Afterwards we wondered what we had just eaten. Given the part of the world we were in we assumed it was lamb, we were partially right.
Kokorec is made out of sheep intestine and other parts of the sheep that aren't used elsewhere. Sometimes when trying new foods, ignorance truly is bliss.
Tags: Kokorec, Istanbul Turkey
Our noses led the way to Kokorecciler Krali Zulfu (Kokorec King Zulfu), a streetside stand on Mercan Caddesi selling kokorec. We had no idea what that was but it sure smelled good.
As the cylinder of meat spun around on the rotisserie it was basted by its own melting fat which dripped onto the red-hot charcoal fire, creating the wonderful aroma.
After our order was placed the counterman tossed a crusty baguette onto the spit to toast it up. The cook chopped up some meat and flame roasted red peppers, scooped it onto the bread with a toss of oregano, paprika and crushed hot peppers and handed it to the by now delirious customer.
When it was our turn to be delirious we eagerly ripped into the sandwich. The flavor exploded on our taste buds. The combination of the grilled meat, fat, charcoal smoke and spices was wonderful.
We just spent a year traveling to 6 continents and this was the best sandwich of the entire trip.
Afterwards we wondered what we had just eaten. Given the part of the world we were in we assumed it was lamb, we were partially right.
Kokorec is made out of sheep intestine and other parts of the sheep that aren't used elsewhere. Sometimes when trying new foods, ignorance truly is bliss.
Tags: Kokorec, Istanbul Turkey