Introduction: Discovering Traditional Turkmen Cuisine
Turkmen cuisine is a delightful blend of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Russian influences. Its unique taste and aroma have been shaped by the country’s nomadic lifestyle, harsh climate, and diverse geography. Traditional Turkmen dishes are hearty, flavorful, and use simple ingredients that are readily available in the region’s arid landscape.
While meat dishes form the backbone of Turkmen cooking, you’ll also find an array of soups, stews, bread, pastries, dairy products, and sweets that are integral to the country’s culinary heritage. Whether you’re a meat lover or a vegetarian, there’s something for everyone in Turkmen cuisine.
Meat Dishes: The Backbone of Turkmen Cooking
Meat is an essential part of Turkmen cuisine, and lamb and beef are the most commonly used meats. Shashlik, or grilled meat skewers, is a popular dish that’s usually seasoned with salt, black pepper, and cumin. Plov, a rice pilaf dish with lamb or beef, carrots, onions, and spices, is another staple of Turkmen cuisine. Kebabs, or meat grilled over an open flame, are also popular and come in various forms such as lula kebab, minced meat grilled on skewers, and shurpa kebab, meat cooked in a soup.
Soups and Stews: Warming and Nourishing
Turkmen cuisine has a wide variety of soups and stews, which are perfect for the country’s cold winters. Shorpa, a hearty soup made with lamb or beef, onions, carrots, potatoes, and other vegetables, is one of the most popular soups. Another favorite is manty, steamed dumplings filled with minced lamb or beef, onions, and spices. Chorba, a spicy soup made with meat and vegetables, and shivit oshi, a noodle soup with vegetables, are also widely enjoyed.
Bread and Pastries: A Staple of Turkmen Cuisine
Bread and pastries are a staple of Turkmen cuisine, and you’ll find a plethora of options from which to choose. Chorek, a round flatbread, is a popular choice, as is yufka, a thin, unleavened flatbread. Samsa, a pastry filled with meat, onions, and spices, is another favorite. Gyzyl gyak, a sweet pastry made with flour, sugar, and oil, and baked in a clay oven, is a popular dessert.
Dairy Products: Essential for a Balanced Diet
Dairy products are an essential part of a balanced diet in Turkmen cuisine. Qatiq, a sour dairy product similar to yogurt, is commonly used in soups and stews. Ayran, a sour yogurt drink, is also popular and is enjoyed with meat dishes. Kurut, a dried sour milk product, is a favorite snack and is often served with tea.
Sweets and Confections: Indulging Your Sweet Tooth
Turkmen cuisine has a variety of sweets and confections that are perfect for indulging your sweet tooth. Chak-chak, a deep-fried pastry coated in honey and often decorated with nuts or sugar, is a popular dessert. Halva, a sweet confection made from nuts and sugar, is also enjoyed. Parvarda, a sweet layered pastry filled with nuts and honey, and baklava, a pastry filled with nuts and honey and covered with layers of filo dough, are also popular desserts.
