.jpg) Mixed pickles | |
| Course | Hors d'oeuvre |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Middle East,Central Asia, andBalkans |
| Main ingredients | Vegetables,garlic,brine orvinegar |
Torshi (Persian:ترشی,romanized: torshi,lit. 'sourness') are thepickled vegetables of manyMiddle Eastern,Iranian,Slavic andBalkan cuisines.
Torshi is common inArab,Turkish,Assyrian,Kurdish,Afghan,Balkans,Slavic,Armenian, andIranian cuisine.
Iran has hundreds of types of torshi, according to regional customs and different events. In some families, no meal is considered complete without a bowl of torshi on the table.
Toursi is a traditional appetizer (meze) to go witharak,rakı,ouzo,oghi,tsipouro, andrakia. In some regions, notably in Turkey (turşu suyu), the pickle juice or torshi water is a popular beverage.
InArmenia, it is often eaten as an appetizer, and served alongside other Armenian appetizers liketopik, lavash,aboukh/basturma, soujoukh andmatsoon.[1][2] InMacedonian cuisine, it is a popular appetizer, traditionally prepared in the fall, and enjoyed throughout winter as a side dish to hearty stews. InBulgarian cuisine, the most popular types aretsarska turshiya ("king's pickle") andselska turshiya ("country pickle").
Torshi is often made in homes in the autumn, even in cities. It is also sold by specialists and in supermarkets, and is served in restaurants.
In 2021, Turkey's pickle exports reached the level of $300 million.[3]
The wordtorshi (Persian: ترشی) is ultimately derived from Persiantorsh 'sour' (Persian: ترش). This Persian word is borrowed with minor variants in many languages:KurdishترشىTirşîn, tirşî, trshin; Turkish andAzerbaijaniturşu;Greek:τουρσί,romanized: toursí;Bosnian,Croatian,Montenegrin,Serbian,Macedonian,Bulgarianturšija/туршија/туршияturshiya;Albanian:turshi;Judeo-Spanishtrushí.
Other languages translate it as 'pickle':Aramaic ܡܟ̇ܠܠ;Arabic:مخلل,romanized: mukhallal;Hebrew:חמוצים,romanized: khamutsim;Armenian:թթու,romanized: tətu.
Torshi is made with garlic,chili peppers, celery, cauliflower, carrots, beets,shallots, cabbage,aubergines (eggplant) and other vegetables, and dried aromatic herbspickled in vinegar or brandy, salt, and different spice mixtures, which usually include whole blackpeppercorns, ginger, etc. Persian-style torshi includes more vinegar, while Turkish style turşu includes more salt.
Torshi liteh is made with eggplants and herbs (parsley, coriander, mint, tarragon, basil). Eggplants are baked in the oven, put in a glass jar with herbs and vinegar, and stored in a cool, dry place for two to three months.
Tsarska turshiya is made with cauliflower, red peppers, carrots, and celery. The vegetables are mixed with some salt and sugar and left overnight. The next day the juice is mixed with vinegar and boiled for several minutes. The vegetables are put in glass jars and pressed down with cherry twigs and a round river stone, then the jars are filled with the cooled pickle marinade.
Selska turshiya is made with green peppers, green tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, and celery. The vegetables are put in a container, pressed down with some twigs and a stone, and a marinade made of salt, vinegar and water is poured on. The pickles are left to ferment.
Cabbage and mixed vegetable pickles, made in large quantities, and stored in earthenware jars, were very popular. Such pickled foods served alone added variety to the winter diet, and they were also used in preparing other foods.
