Mercimek köftesi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Course | Side dish, meze, salad |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Turkey |
| Associated cuisine | Turkish cuisine |
| Main ingredients | lentil, bulgur, parsley, tomato paste |
Mercimek köftesi, also known as lentil balls, is a lentil-based cold dish or meze found in Turkish cuisine. Considered one of the foods that symbolize the importance of Anatolian hospitality, it is often served in events such as 5 o'clock tea and special occasion meals.[1][2] Adana province is specifically famous for this dish's popularity.[3]
Lentil balls are prepared from split red lentils along with tomato paste, fine bulgur, parsley, onion, and other spices. Proportions of ingredients and types of spices used may differ in different regions.
The preparation requires cooking of lentils in water to a mushy texture, followed by addition of fine bulgur which absorbs liquid from the boiled lentils without additional cooking. Onions roasted in olive oil, tomato paste, spices and herbs are added for flavor. This thick consistency batter is then shaped in a palm in a cylindrical form, and served with lettuce and vegetables on side. Mercimek köftesi may also be served as a wrap with lettuce and tahini sauce, but it is then called lentil falafel.[citation needed]
American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) in 2015 put mercimek köftesi in a list of 7 dishes from local cuisines from all around the world which are considered to fight cancer, especially reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.[4]
