I am crazy for nuts. How can I not be? I grew up in Turkey.  It is hard to think of a Turkish desert without nuts as at the very least, pistachios are used to decorate every dessert, sprinkled on top.  Hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans and chestnuts are the main ingredients in many deserts.  Fresh walnuts with cheese made in goat skin, with warm and freshly made and puffy Turkish pitta bread are served before a meal at most of the kebab restaurants.  Pistachio and walnut baklavas remind us that these deserts surely deserve the global reputation they have. Pine nuts are essential in making a great dolma! Candied chestnuts in syrup are, as they say in Turkey, “Not for eating but to sleep with”.

When in Turkey, go crazy for nuts like I do.  To read more about local shops where you can buy Turkish nut products, check out other related articles on our SHOP Section.

Meltem

2009 Copyright. Foods of Turkey