World Kebab Day
About World Kebab Day
When is World Kebab Day? This holiday is celebrated on the second Friday of July
Have you decided what’s for dinner at your house tonight? How about having “dinner on a stick!?” Today is World Kebab Day. Kebabs have an “out of this world” flavor. On this July holiday, people all over the world are putting their favorite meats, vegetables, and fruits on skewers, and slathering it with sauce and seasonings. Then, they are cooking their shish kabob or doner kebab over a smoky grill.
There are many types of kebabs. Shish kababs are most common, especially in Asia and North America. Cooked on a skewer over a smoky fire, they include any variety of meats, vegetables, and fruits. Doner Kebabs are also popular. They are used primarily for meat used in gyros. Doner kebabs have layers of meats stacked vertically in a cone shape. While cooking, the outer layers are shaved or cut off and used for gyros and pitas. While there are well over 50 types of kebabs, some of the more popular include Butahkalmi, Chuanr, Espetadas, Gyros, Halabi, Galouti, and Souvlaki.
How do you like your Kebab? Some people like meat, veggies, and fruit mixed together on a single skewer. Others prefer meat on one stick, and veggies on another. On average, people eat 2 – 3 skewers of kebabs at a meal. But, it can be more. We tend to eat more meat only skewers. There is no standard size. Some skewers are larger than others. So, there’s no standard number of pieces of food on a skewer either.
What’s your favorite side dish to serve with kebabs? They are most often served on a bed of wild or seasoned rice.
The History of Kebabs
Kebabs are made with bite-sized pieces of food speared onto a skewer or stick. Everyone says they originated in the Middle East. While that’s true, its popularity has certainly made its way around the globe. And every culture seems to have its own version of food on a stick (or skewer), using all sorts of meats and fish, vegetables, fruits, and importantly seasonings and spices. Wherever in the world you consume kebabs, it is most likely cooked on a grill to add a smoky flavor. Have shish kebabs, doner kebabs, or your favorite variety. When traveling to other countries, try kebabs made in local restaurants. You’ll be glad that you did!
In the Middle East, kebabs were first made of heavily seasoned meats. Meats were most often lamb and beef. Originally, people cooked meats and vegetables cooked on separate skewers. This was likely due to different lengths of cooking times. Chinese shish kebabs frequently include mutton, chicken, duck, or goose. Even today, it is common to find kebabs cooked on city street corners. In Cyrus, pork, lamb, and mutton are commonly used. In America, beef, chicken, pork, and fish are commonly used. Even vegetarians enjoy a good kebab. Simply use tofu instead of meat.
Kebab Trivia
Amaze your friends with your shish kebab trivia knowledge.
- The practice of cooking meats on a stick goes back to ancient times.
- They originated in Turkey.
- The word “kebab” means “to roast”. However, they are most often grilled.
- The first recorded use of the word “kebab” was in a Turkish script of Kyssa-i Yusuf in 1377.
- Every Turkish cookbook has a chapter called kebaplar with dozens of kebab recipes.
- If it is food and can be put on a skewer, it’s a candidate for shish kebabs.
- In the Muslim world, the word is a symbol of immigration.
Today’s Deep Thought: If you put a hotdog on a long stick and cook it over a campfire, is it a Hot Dog Kebab!? We believe the answer is “yes”. What do you think!?
How to Celebrate and Participate in World Kebab Day
Here are a few ideas on how to participate in World Kebab Day:
- This is a food holiday, so celebrate by eating kebabs for lunch and dinner.
- Put your skewers to work. Try a kebab recipe you’ve never had before.
- The weather is great for an outdoor party. So, hold a kebab party. Have your guests bring a few skewers of their favorite recipe. Then, fire up the grill and cook them all up. There’s going to be plenty of variety to try.
- If you’re too busy to cook tonight, find a local restaurant that has them on their menu, and go out to eat.
Today's Quote
“Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children.” – – Sam Levenson
History and Origin of World Kebab Day
Our research has not yet uncovered who created World Kebab Day. Obviously, it is someone who enjoys their meal on a stick. While there is much written about the history of kebabs, we have yet to find information about the creation of this fun food day that is celebrated around the globe.
We have traced references to this holiday back to 2020.
More About Today
Flower of the Day: Hydrangea
Recipe of the Day: Grilled Eggplant
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