Thursday, September 4, 2008

Greetings from Istanbul

Since Mabon is almost upon us, I plan to gather and post some recipes from this part of the world in honor of the harvest. The food here is not only delicious, but seasonal as well. Currently the markets and pazars are full of ripe, juicy garnet-red tomatoes, plump eggplants, the sweetest carrots I have ever tasted, and cabbages the size of pumpkins! As I explore this new culture and taste new dishes, I will post my discoveries in this journal.

The connection to the gods and goddesses are still very strong, even though Islam is the predominant religion here. Amulets in the shape of large blue eyes protect buses, businesses, homes and bodies from the evil eye. Many people still hold tightly to beliefs that have been passed down from generation to generation. Livestock roam freely. Bread is a sacred food, a staple of life. The old ways are still very much alive here.

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