Gyros

Gyros is a popular Greek dish, made from meat cooked on a vertical rotator and traditionally served in a pita bread with tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce.

History

The origins of the gyros are believed to date back to the time of Alexander the Great, where soldiers used to skewer meat on their swords and cook it over an open fire. The modern version of the dish, however, is attributed to Turkish immigrants in Greece who introduced the vertical rotisserie in the 19th century.

Preparation

The meat used in a gyros is usually pork, although chicken and lamb are also commonly used. The meat is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, including garlic, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, and oregano, before being cooked on the vertical rotator. Once cooked, the meat is thinly sliced and served in a pita bread with tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce, a traditional Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs.

Variations

There are several variations of the gyros, including the souvlaki, which is similar but the meat is served on a skewer, and the doner kebab, a similar dish from Turkey. In the United States, a variation known as the gyro wrap is popular, where the ingredients are wrapped in a flatbread instead of being served in a pita.

Cultural Significance

The gyros is considered a staple of Greek cuisine and is commonly found in street food stalls and restaurants across the country. It is also popular in other countries with large Greek communities, such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

See Also

• Greek cuisine
• Street food
• Doner kebab
• Souvlaki

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