Souvlaki

Souvlaki (soo-VLAH-kee), also known as Greek Kebab, is a widely popular skewered meat dish. It is typically made from various meats such as pork, lamb, beef, and chicken, marinated with aromatic Mediterranean spices like garlic, black pepper, parsley, rosemary, and a touch of lemon. The marinated meat is then grilled over charcoal until its perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, and rich with diverse flavors. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the long and fascinating history of this iconic Greek dish.

Ancient Origins : From Obelisk to Souvlaki

The origin of Souvlaki has been traced by historians studying the evolution of Greek culture. Historians discovered that a dish similar to Souvlaki, called Obelisk, existed in Greece as early as the 17th century BCE. Stone tools resembling modern meat skewers were found on the island of Santorini, providing evidence that Greeks have been enjoying skewered grilled meat for hundreds of years.

Furthermore, several renowned ancient Greek writers and philosophers, including Homer, Aristotle, Aristophanes, and Xenophon, mentioned grilled meat (Obelisk) in their works, highlighting the significance of this type of food in ancient Greek society.

However, the term Souvlaki itself was only adopted to refer to Greek skewered grilled meat in later eras. The name comes from the medieval Greek word Souvla (SOOV-lah), meaning skewer. Traditionally, Greeks would skewer and grill various meats like lamb, pork, and beef over charcoal. These grilling occasions often brought families together to share a meal, creating a warm and unifying tradition.

Imperial Era Development: Blending Flavors and Techniques

Later, during the Byzantine Empire, the tradition of eating skewered grilled meat continued to flourish. The influence of Byzantine cuisine played a significant role in the development of Souvlaki, as during this period, Souvlaki evolved by incorporating a blend of different spices, herbs, and marinades, adding more complexity and variety to its flavor profile, making the grilled meat more multi-dimensional.

During the rise of the Ottoman Empire, Souvlaki also began to gain popularity among the Turks. Consequently, the exchange of culinary techniques and ingredients between Greeks and Turks significantly influenced the development of Souvlaki as we know it today. This era saw the introduction of spices like cumin and coriander, as well as the practice of marinating meat in yogurt to further enhance the cooking techniques and complexity.

Modern Souvlaki : Popular Street Food and Global Reach

Throughout the 20th century, after Greece regained its independence, Souvlaki became a popular street food. This rise in popularity was partly due to Isaac Meraklidis opening the first Souvlaki shop, Aigyptiakon (Eye-YIP-tyah-kon), in Athens, which led to the proliferation of Souvlaki stalls across Greece, making it convenient and accessible for everyone.

During this time, vendors began to develop their own forms of Souvlaki. They started serving Souvlaki with pita bread, Tzatziki (TZAHT-zee-kee) sauce (cucumber-yogurt sauce), tomatoes, and various vegetables, creating a quick, convenient, and affordable fast-food option. This led to the emergence of a new dish called Souvlaki pita, which is the most popular form today.

Today, Souvlaki has gained global popularity and continues to evolve with even more diverse variations to cater to various tastes. This includes using other types of meat, such as sausages, or even vegetarian versions that utilize grilled mushrooms and vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and eggplant on skewers instead of meat.