Tursu

Torshi, tursu or turshi () are the pickled vegetables of many Middle Eastern, Iranian, Slavic and Balkan cuisines.

Torshi is common in Arab, Turkish, Assyrian, Kurdish, Afghan, Balkans, Slavic, Armenian, and Iranian cuisine.

Iran has hundreds of types of torshi, according to regional customs and different events. In some families, no meal is considered complete without a bowl of torshi on the table.

''Toursi'' is a traditional appetizer ('' meze'') to go with arak, rakı, ouzo, oghi, tsipouro, and rakia. In some regions, notably in Turkey (''turşu suyu''), the pickle juice or torshi water is a popular beverage.

In Egypt pickled vegetables are referred to as both ''torshi'' () and ''mekhalel'' (). Both terms refer to all varieties of pickled vegetables, including carrots, cucumbers, turnips, garlic, onions, cauliflower, and hot peppers, preserved in a vinegar-based brine infused with spices such as nigella seeds, black pepper, and bay leaves. It is ubiquitous on Egyptian tablespreads, especially for breakfast.

In Armenia, it is often eaten as an appetizer, and served alongside other Armenian appetizers like topik, lavash, aboukh/basturma, soujoukh and matsoon. In Macedonian cuisine, it is a popular appetizer, traditionally prepared in the fall, and enjoyed throughout winter as a side dish to hearty stews. In Bulgarian cuisine, the most popular types are ''tsarska turshiya'' ("king's pickle") and ''selska turshiya'' ("country pickle").

Torshi is often made in homes in the autumn, even in cities. It is also sold by specialists and in supermarkets, and is served in restaurants.

In 2021, Turkey's pickle exports reached the level of $300 million.

Name

The word ''torshi'' ( Persian: ترشی) is ultimately derived from Persian 'sour' ( Persian: ترش). This Persian word is borrowed with minor variants in many languages: Kurdish ''Tirşîn, tirşî, trshin''; Turkish and Azerbaijani ; ; Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian ''turšija''/туршија/туршия ''turshiya''; ; Judeo-Spanish .

Other languages translate it as 'pickle': Aramaic ܡܟ̇ܠܠ; ; ; .

Recipes

Torshi is made with garlic, chili peppers, celery, cauliflower, carrots, beets, shallots, cabbage, aubergines (eggplant) and other vegetables, and dried aromatic herbs pickled in vinegar or brandy, salt, and different spice mixtures, which usually include whole black peppercorns, ginger, etc. Persian-style torshi includes more vinegar, while Turkish style turşu includes more salt.

''Torshi liteh'' is made with eggplants and herbs (parsley, coriander, mint, tarragon, basil). Eggplants are baked in the oven, put in a glass jar with herbs and vinegar, and stored in a cool, dry place for two to three months.

''Tsarska turshiya'' is made with cauliflower, red peppers, carrots, and celery. The vegetables are mixed with some salt and sugar and left overnight. The next day the juice is mixed with vinegar and boiled for several minutes. The vegetables are put in glass jars and pressed down with cherry twigs and a round river stone, then the jars are filled with the cooled pickle marinade.

''Selska turshiya'' is made with green peppers, green tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, and celery. The vegetables are put in a container, pressed down with some twigs and a stone, and a marinade made of salt, vinegar and water is poured on. The pickles are left to ferment.

See also

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* Pickling

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Torshi
Pickles
Appetizers
Iranian cuisine
Arab cuisine
Egyptian cuisine
Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine
Balkan cuisine
Slavic cuisine
Sephardi Jewish cuisine
Middle Eastern cuisine
Mizrahi Jewish cuisine
Afghan cuisine
Kurdish cuisine
Assyrian cuisine
Azerbaijani cuisine
Armenian cuisine
Israeli cuisine
Ottoman cuisine
Fermented foods
Iranian condiments
Turkish cuisine