Strictly speaking, ceviz (walnuts) are not seasonal food in Turkey because you can buy them throughout the year but there are more of them about at this time of year. Maybe they’re in season in Turkey at the moment and then they come from abroad at other times of the year? We’re not sure. I took this photo at Çalış market last Sunday and, as you can see, there are sackfuls on this stall.
Walnuts for sale on Fethiye Market
When we first came out to Turkey to stay around for a while we went to a restaurant with a Turkish friend and he ordered all the meze dishes, which included a dry-looking crumbly cheese. I’ve never been a connoisseur of cheeses but thought I’d give it a go. I’ve since found out that this cheese is called tulum.
Anyway, it’s very strong on its own. The nearest description I can think of is Parmesan. I didn’t like it at first but then the lavash bread came (the big flat puffed-up bread you get in some of the restaurants) and a side plate of tulum with broken up walnuts on it. We watched and learned. Break off a piece of bread, sprinkle some of the cheese on top followed by the walnuts and you’re away. Lovely! The walnuts take some of the tang of the cheese away and they go together really well. Try it next time you get the chance.
Well, after the doom and gloom of yesterday my positive thinking must have paid off. Life is good! England cricket team are getting absolutely whupped in the final test in south Africa but they’ve just got rained off. Great! It’s Friday = we can have an Efes Pilsen or 4!
Also, we got up this morning and the sun was shining so we put our running gear on and off we went. When we got outside – beautiful! It must have been cold overnight and Babadağ and Mendos (the two mountains dominating Fethiye’s skyline) have got their first snow of winter! We were beginning to think it would never come. The other, higher mountain ranges are covered in snow now as well. It had started to melt because it’s been so warm but they were glowing white in the sunlight this morning, summits peeping above fluffy, white clouds.
Of course, I didn’t have my camera with me. I wanted to take a photo of them for today’s post but when I went out later to take a photo the bigger, nastier cloud had got there first! Typical. Lesson learned – always carry your camera!
Sarah
Monday 18th of January 2010
sounds like a very interesting combination- another thing I would like to try. BTW, I am an awful speller so I know what you mean :-)
David Tamayo
Saturday 16th of January 2010
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