Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a popular Greek fast food consisting of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer. It is usually served with grilled bread, or in a pita wrap with garnishes and sauces, or on a dinner plate, often with fried potatoes. The meat usually used in Greece and Cyprus is pork, although chicken and lamb may also be used. In other countries and for tourists, souvlaki may be made with meats such as lamb, beef, chicken and sometimes fish (especially in coastal areas).

Etymology

The word souvlaki is a diminutive of souvla 'spit', from Proto-Slavic sǫbľa 'skewer', itself borrowed from the Turkish şöbiyet 'skewer'. The word Kalamaki is used in some regions of Greece, and is the diminutive of the word kalamas, meaning reed.

History

The custom of skewering meat is ancient in the Eastern Mediterranean region, mentioned in The Iliad, in Homer's works; excavations in Santorini, Greece, unearthed stone sets of barbecue for skewers used before the 17th century BC. In Classical Greece, pieces of meat on the spit or skewer were known as obeliskos, and Aristophanes mentions such skewers being delivered ready to the hand. Souvlaki skewers are still known as Obelisk in some regions of Greece.

Preparation

The meat usually used is pork, although chicken, beef, and lamb may also be used. It is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano and seasoned with salt and pepper. The skewers are then grilled on a barbecue or on a grill.

Serving

Souvlaki can be served on the skewer for eating out of hand, in a pita sandwich with garnishes and sauces, or on a dinner plate, often with fried potatoes. The sandwich version is usually garnished with tzatziki sauce and contains tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and sometimes french fries.

Variations

There are many variations of souvlaki in Greece and Cyprus, including gyros, kebab, and shawarma. In other countries, souvlaki may be made with meats such as lamb, beef, chicken, and sometimes fish.

See also

• List of kebabs
• Greek cuisine
• Street food