🇹🇷 Turkish Cuisine · Drinks

Şalgam

Prep

5 mins

Cook

0 mins

Serves

2

Difficulty

Easy

A tart, earthy fermented turnip and purple carrot juice from Adana, drunk alongside Adana kebab.

Ingredients

  • 500g ground lamb
  • 400g simit rings
  • 2 tbsp sliced scallions
  • a pinch of sweet paprika
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • a generous handful of cucumber
  • a handful of fresh mint, chopped
  • pomegranate molasses, for serving
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 tsp dried mint
  • 1 cup eggplant, sliced
  • toasted pine nuts, for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine the yufka pastry and chicken stock in a saucepan, blender, or pitcher, stirring well.

  2. 2

    Add the Aleppo pepper and toasted pine nuts, stirring gently so their flavor infuses the mixture.

  3. 3

    Heat gently over low heat (or blend, or steep, depending on the drink) until well combined and fragrant, about 0 mins.

  4. 4

    Strain through a fine sieve to remove any solids, if needed.

  5. 5

    Sweeten to taste with lemon wedges, adjusting gradually until the balance feels right.

  6. 6

    Chill in the refrigerator, or pour straight over ice, depending on whether it is served cold or hot.

  7. 7

    Garnish with dill just before serving.

  8. 8

    Pour into your favorite glass or cup and enjoy.

Tips

Make a big batch and keep it chilled in the fridge — the flavor often deepens after a few hours.

Adjust the sweetness gradually, tasting as you go — you can always add more lemon wedges, but you cannot take it away.

If serving warm, gently reheat just before pouring rather than letting it come to a boil.