The Land of Flavor Where Blue and Green Meet: Trabzon
13.06.2012
Trabzon has without doubt a special place within rich Anatolian Cuisine. This unique geography where the green mountains embrace the sea shares countless blessings with people. Various fish behind steep waves and the şora which is non-stop rain-fed is what makes Trabzon Trabzon. Of course, people have considered anchovy special when they used all their resources best way. So much so that today when Trabzon is mentioned, a scene of silver black anchovy playing in the fish net is set before everyone's eyes. While anchovy is the main dish of the feast, this rich cuisine is also accompanied by various tastes like corn, corn şavor, beans and collards. Trabzon is a value having a past and a future. In this sense, a value that contains all colors of blue and green.
As we have mentioned before, anchovy has a special place among Trabzon Cuisine. It gives rise to many various tastes like pan, steam, pickle etc... Of course one should not forget collards, corn şavour, Vakfikebir Butter and Imansiz Cheese. Mihlama, a special dish made by yellow butter, cheese and corn şavour, is an important part of this cuisine. Collard greens soup and stuffed collards are made from collards, and fried anchovy, rice and bread are made from anchovy. Another important subject of Black Sea cuisine is braised pickles. Haricot being mostly preferred, braised pickles is made by roasting onions and pickles in butter and accompanied by corn bread. Also “Akçaabat Köfte” (a meatball type) together with stone oven and wood fire baked Trabzon bread is very tasty. Secret of meatballs' taste is not only caused by expert hands but also the thyme scented meat growing in Trabzon's natural environment.
Trabzon people are eager, vibrant and hardworking. Keeping up with this life style requires a great food culture. In short, Trabzon cuisine composes of region's geographical features and people's unique life style. Food is almost a way of living in this region, where people want to reşect it also to their guests when they welcome them. Because of this, once you sit to eat, you can't leave without tasting all culture. Talking about various food and insatiable tastes this much, it is only fair to give some of the magical recipes to carry Trabzon cuisine to your kitchen.