This family trip to turkey not only inspired a thirst for history but a hunger for all its distinctive flavours
It was outside the Hagia Sophia that we had our first taste of Turkey—a sign that there was a lot to look forward to when it comes to food. A cluster of snack vendors on Sultanahmet Square had drawn our attention but my mother and I followed the sweet, smoky scent of chestnuts. We were in Turkey right before the holidays and the perfectly roasted chestnuts were enough to spark my appetite for the rest of our trip.
Such simple but satisfying fare followed as we made our way to Cappadocia, which felt like a different planet altogether. Among rock formations the colour of millennial pink, Bronze Age cave dwellers had carved out conical homes that are still in use to this day. Invited into one of these homes by an elderly couple, we kept warm over servings of apple tea, a staple beverage that Turkish people drink infinite glasses of throughout the day. Vibrantly patterned carpets and textiles could be seen around their home, underscoring the great imagination I observed in the country’s crafts and ultimately, its food.
From towering rock homes, we later found ourselves underground in the ancient town of Goreme. Around the time of the Hittite era, natives to the land avoided the war between Greeks and Persians by building a subterranean city. This city included everything from a church to an actual winery where containers had been moulded from rocks. The ingenuity of people from this region was apparent, reflective also in the meal we would enjoy while taking in Cappadocia’s breathtaking mountain range. Whether it was freshly baked flatbreads that came with delicious olive oil to sop up and spices to dip them into, or mushrooms stuffed with cheese, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes, dishes were uncomplicated yet distinctive.