Simit | Turkish Bagel
The history of 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 a 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
Buldan, Turkey