Stuffed Grape Leaves or Grape Leaf Dolma is a dish made by filling grape leaves with ingredients such as bulgur or rice, along with other local ingredients depending on the region. There are different varieties, including those with olive oil or minced meat. The ingredients are mixed together and then wrapped in brined grape leaves. It is typically eaten with a squeeze of lemon juice or with yogurt.

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Many traditional flavors in Turkish cuisine have a long historical journey. Stuffed grape leaves with meat is one of these. The historical journey of meat-stuffed grape leaves dates back to the Ottoman Empire.[1]

Regional Varieties

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Amasya Broad Bean Dolma

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One of the dish options

Amasya Broad Bean Dolma is a regional dish made by wrapping a mixture of boiled broad beans and cracked wheat in grape leaves and cooking it with meat on the bone. The dolmas are wrapped in a hexagonal shape. It is served in a copper tray with the dolmas at the bottom and meat on top, with yogurt added and garnished with dry onions. Additionally, the dish can be topped with onions sautéed in butter. Both fresh and brined grape leaves can be used, with young leaves preferred. Amasya Broad Bean Dolma was registered and received a geographical indication from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on August 17, 2021.[2]

Arapgir Dolama

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Arapgir Dolama consists of a filling made from minced meat, tail fat, rice bulgur, fine bulgur, onions, parsley, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. It is wrapped in brined grape leaves and cooked, then finished with a tomato paste sautéed in butter. Arapgir Dolama was registered and received a geographical indication from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on November 24, 2021.[3]

Beypazarı Dolma / Beypazarı Grape Leaf Wrap

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The ingredients include rice, minced lamb meat, onions, green onions, parsley, dill, red pepper flakes, black pepper, tomato paste, salt, and lemon juice. Beypazarı Dolma / Beypazarı Grape Leaf Wrap was registered and received a geographical indication from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on May 20, 2022.[4]

Malatya Tevek Grape Leaf Wrap

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The ingredients include rice bulgur, rice, medium-fat minced meat, and various spices. Malatya Tevek Grape Leaf Wrap was registered and received a geographical indication from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on May 23, 2022.[5]

Erzurum Sour Dolma

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Erzurum Sour Dolma was registered and received a geographical indication from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on October 27, 2022.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "History of Meat-Stuffed Grape Leaves". Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "Geographical Indication Platform" (in Turkish). Archived from the original on January 25, 1999. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Archived Copy". Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Beypazarı Dolma / Beypazarı Grape Leaf Wrap". Beypazarı Dolma. Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  5. ^ "Malatya Tevek Grape Leaf Wrap". Malatya Tevek Leaf Wrap. Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Erzurum Sour Dolma". Erzurum Sour Dolma. Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on July 5, 2023.