With origins in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and South Asian cuisines, kebabs are pieces of skewered meat or vegetables that have been roasted or grilled. Their rich and diverse history is almost—almost—as delicious as the dish itself. Explore that history in more detail below.

Origins

Kebabs have long been a feature of many regional cuisines, stretching as far back as Greece in the seventeenth century BCE. In Ancient Greece, they were largely known as souvlaki. The dish's emergence and evolution in the Middle East was likely a result of Turkish soldiers using swords to grill individual pieces of meat over an open fire. It was then that Persians christened it kebab, derived from kebap, which means "fry." 

As kebabs spread across the world, different cultures put their own spin on the basic recipe of grilled or roasted meat and/or vegetables on a skewer. Many South Asian countries call it satay and served it with peanut sauce. Yakitori is a Japanese version made with chicken on a skewer. Espetada is a Portuguese cooking technique of preparing food on skewers.

Today

While the traditional kebab meat is lamb, it can be prepared with any meat, fish, or vegetable. Given the dish's natural versatility, it's not surprising that there are several popular ways to enjoy it. Filet mignon, Cornish game hen, jumbo shrimp, and salmon are just a few mouthwatering options. Enjoy it alongside rice—a saffron basmati is an excellent choice—to best bring out the flavors and to have a well-balanced meal of protein, vegetables, and healthy carbs all in one sitting.

Kebab meats and vegetables are almost always marinated prior to cooking. The traditional marinade is pretty simple, a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, and onions. Today's marinades can vary, with some sticking pretty close to the original recipe and others adding all sorts of spices for new and exciting depths of flavor; allspice, cinnamon, and marjoram are a few examples.

Savor the historic, one-of-a-kind taste of kebabs on your next visit to Sufi's Kitchen. Since 2010, they have been serving the finest Persian food to the Atlanta, GA, area. They offer onsite dining, delivery, and catering services. Call (404) 888-9699 to make a reservation or visit them online to explore their menu.