Simit | Turkish Bagel
The history of the simit (sometimes called the Turkish bagel) dates back to the Ottoman Empire (1299 – 1453). Simit is ring-shaped sweet bread topped with sesame seeds. It is made by dipping a ring of dough into pekmez (grape molasses) and sprinkling generously with sesame seeds before baking. The name originates from the word for a flour depot (simithane). Once considered luxurious food item by the sultans, it is now sold by street vendors throughout Turkey. Regional variations include simit topped with sunflower seeds or poppy seeds, a crispy version from Izmir called gevrek, a twisted version called çatma and a petite version called kandil simit.
Jason B Graham
Turkish Cuisine
Baked Goods
Simit
Turkish Bagel
Istanbul, Turkey