Turkey's most popular national dishes of the summer season have been announced.

Interest in gastronomic tourism is growing in Turkey, and local and traditional dishes are becoming one of the important reasons for tourists to visit the country. Especially during the summer months, there is high demand for light and refreshing national dishes.

 

According to research, travel and tourism was the most popular leisure activity this summer, with a rate of 79 percent. Food-related activities accounted for 70 percent, while outdoor activities accounted for 69 percent.

 

 

Fresh vegetables and fruits, olive oil, aromatic herbs, and seafood hold an important place on Turkey's summer table. Cold soups, vegetable dishes prepared with olive oil, salads, and homemade beverages are especially popular on hot days.

 

"Ayran ashi," characteristic of Eastern Anatolia, is a cold soup made from yogurt, chickpeas, and wheat, and is considered one of the traditional dishes consumed in summer. This dish can also be found in traditional restaurants in the country's major cities.

 

 

In the Aegean region, dishes made with olive oil, such as green beans, zucchini, artichoke, and local herbs, are widespread. Dolma, sarma, shepherd's salad, kisir, mücver, and lentil köfte also rank among the popular dishes of the summer table.

 

In Turkey, "esnaf lokantaları" (tradesmen's restaurants) are also popular among tourists for tasting home-style dishes. These eateries offer freshly prepared daily dishes reminiscent of family recipes at relatively affordable prices.

 

 

One of the popular desserts of the summer season is Maraş ice cream. Made from goat's milk, this ice cream stands out with its thick and stretchy texture, as well as its slow melting.

 

Experts and representatives of the tourism sector note that Turkey's gastronomic heritage is making trips to the country's seaside resorts, ancient cities, and mountainous regions even more attractive.