Chuchvara

Chuchvara

It is a traditional dish popular in the Hijaz. It was introduced to Madinah by the Turks and Levantines.

Journey to Madinah:

Chuchvara is originally a Turkestani dish. It spread to Arab countries, the Levant, Turkey, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus, with variations in its recipe. Madinah cuisine in this respect provides the gist of the tastes of these peoples and their cultures, choosing the best and most delicious of those dishes.

Locally, this dish is variously called 'shish barak', 'shushbarak', and 'aadhan al-shayeb' (the old man's ears). In Turkish, the word 'barak' means pastries, and 'shish' means chopped meat.

Chuchvara.. Food and Nutrition:

In addition to its distinctive delicious taste, chuchvara is highly nutritious. It is a full meal because it contains meat and milk. Milk is a source of protein, calcium, vitamins A and B, etc., while meat is another source of proteins as well as iron and phosphorus.

Making Chuchvara:

Chuchvara is made of a dough consisting of flour, water and salt. Its filling consists of onions, mincemeat, oil and spices to taste. Onions are fried. The milk mixture consists of milk, starch, flavors and spices.

Where Can I Buy It?

Chuchvara can be ordered at the various popular restaurants, especially the Chefs Market, and the luxury restaurants in Madinah.