The word kebab is derived from Arabic. Kebabs were invented by medieval Turkic soldiers who used their swords to grill meat over open-field fires. This spread around the world through Muslims and led to many different variations. We dealt with Shish Kebab in a previous issue. Here we look at Döner Kebab, a dish which was popularized in many parts of the world by Muslims:
Döner kebab is a Turkish dish made of meat cooked on a vertical spit and sliced off to order. The meat may be lamb, mutton, beef, goat or chicken. Döner kebab is the origin of other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes such as shawarmas and gyros. The original form is grilled horizontally. In the 19th century, the modern form was invented in Bursa. The original dish, known as İskender Kebab, is still served in Turkey.
Döner kebab is most popularly served in pita bread (since 1960 in Turkey) with salad, but is also served in a dish with a salad and bread or French fries. The German-style döner kebab was invented by a Turk in the 1970s, and has been the most popular fast food in Germany since the 1980s. Take-out döner kebab or shawarma restaurants are popular in many parts of Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. In UK they represent a large part of nightlife culture.
Another delicious tasting gift from Muslims to the world.
