Shawarma: Difference between revisions
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**[[Montreal]]'s Middle Eastern Arab population has made shawarma fast food restaurants ubiquitous. Chicken shawarma is called [[shish taouk]]. The city's many Greek restaurants almost always serve shawarma, usually calling it "donair." |
**[[Montreal]]'s Middle Eastern Arab population has made shawarma fast food restaurants ubiquitous. Chicken shawarma is called [[shish taouk]]. The city's many Greek restaurants almost always serve shawarma, usually calling it "donair." |
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**[[Ottawa]] is home to many shawarma restaurants; Google Maps reports 91. Sellers use a garlic sauce made from equal parts garlic and oil and a small amount of lemon juice. Shawarma sandwiches are wrapped in pita bread and are almost always garnished with onion, tomato, pickles, pickled turnips and parsley (which is usually mixed in with the onions). The shawarma restaurants in Ottawa will generally allow customers to substitute hummus for the garlic sauce at no extra charge. Despite its name, beef shawarma generally contains some lamb in addition to the beef to ensure juiciness. |
**[[Ottawa]] is home to many shawarma restaurants; Google Maps reports 91. Sellers use a garlic sauce made from equal parts garlic and oil and a small amount of lemon juice. Shawarma sandwiches are wrapped in pita bread and are almost always garnished with onion, tomato, pickles, pickled turnips and parsley (which is usually mixed in with the onions). The shawarma restaurants in Ottawa will generally allow customers to substitute hummus for the garlic sauce at no extra charge. Despite its name, beef shawarma generally contains some lamb in addition to the beef to ensure juiciness. |
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**[[Windsor, Ontario]], bordering [[Detroit, Michigan]] (which has the greatest concentration of Middle Easterners in North America), has many shawarma shops. They are located all over the inner city but are concentrated on [[Ouellette Avenue]] in a de facto entertainment district downtown. |
**[[Windsor, Ontario]], bordering [[Detroit, Michigan]] (which has the greatest concentration of Middle Easterners in North America), has many shawarma shops. They are located all over the inner city but are concentrated on [[Ouellette Avenue]] in a de facto entertainment district downtown. If you ever end up at Shawarma Palace, the combo is $6.83, not fucking $8.00 - don't let those bitches over charge you. |
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** [[Toronto]] has many different Shawarma establishments reflecting the different Shawarma styles of the globe. King Falafel, at Bathurst and Eglinton, prepares their Shawarmas in the Moroccan tradition, with a heavy emphasis on spices and different vegetables such as lettuce and a sort of cabbage. |
** [[Toronto]] has many different Shawarma establishments reflecting the different Shawarma styles of the globe. King Falafel, at Bathurst and Eglinton, prepares their Shawarmas in the Moroccan tradition, with a heavy emphasis on spices and different vegetables such as lettuce and a sort of cabbage. |
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** [[Vancouver]], [[Lower Mainland]], [[British Columbia]], A large immigrant population drives shawarma and doner consumption in BC. The city of [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]], being primarily [[South Asian]], hosts dozens of small shawarma shops though it is more commonly referred to as donair (sic). Google lists 51 restaurants with the alternate spelling in the area. It is common to see pizza, Greek, coffee and falafel all served alongside donairs in a given establishment. |
** [[Vancouver]], [[Lower Mainland]], [[British Columbia]], A large immigrant population drives shawarma and doner consumption in BC. The city of [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]], being primarily [[South Asian]], hosts dozens of small shawarma shops though it is more commonly referred to as donair (sic). Google lists 51 restaurants with the alternate spelling in the area. It is common to see pizza, Greek, coffee and falafel all served alongside donairs in a given establishment. |
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Revision as of 00:26, 17 November 2006
Shawarma (Template:Lang-ar; Template:Lang-he) also spelled chawarma, shwarma, shawerma, or shoarma, from the Turkish word çevirme (turning) which is another name used for döner kebab (IPA: [tʃevir'me] 'turned thing') is a Middle Eastern-style sandwich usually composed of shaved lamb, chicken, turkey, or beef. Shawarma is a popular dish in Syria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other Middle Eastern locations, and is consumed by both Arab and non-Arab populations in North America, South America, Indian sub-continent, parts of Africa, Europe, and South East Asia as well. Shawarma is known as guss in Iraq and gyros in Greece.
Shawarma (Çevirme) has its origins in Anatolia and is essentially the same dish as döner kebab in Turkey, possibly differing from it in the type of meat and spices used.
Preparation
Shawarma is made by placing strips of meat or marinated chicken on a skewer. Animal fat and an onion or tomato are placed at the top of the stack to provide flavoring. The meat is then roasted slowly on all sides as the skewer rotates in front of or over a flame for a period of several hours (see rotisserie). Traditionally a wood fire is used, but nowadays a gas flame is more common. While many establishments have one skewer, specialty restaurants might offer two or more, usually of different flavors.
The cooked meat is then shaved off the skewer with either a large knife, electric knife or a small circular saw, dropping to a circular tray below to be retrieved. Shawarma is most commonly eaten as a fast food, made up into a sandwich with pita bread or rolled up in Arabic lafa (a sweet, fluffy flatbread) together with vegetables and a dressing. Vegetables commonly found in shawarma include cucumber, onion, tomato, lettuce, parsley, pickled turnips, pickled gherkins and cabbage.
Common dressings include tahini (or tahina), Amba sauce (pickled mango with Chilbeh) and hummus, flavored with vinegar and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Chicken shawarma is often served with garlic mayonnaise, pomegranate concentrate, skhug (a hot chili sauce), or any combination of the three. Once the sandwich is made up, it might be dipped in the fat dripping from the skewer and then briefly seared against the flame.
In Syria and Lebanon, chicken shawarma sandwiches are generally toasted after being made up, whereas meat sandwiches are eaten straightaway.
Sometimes beef is used for shawarma instead of lamb, and turkey is also occasionally used instead of chicken. In Israel, a turkey/lamb fat mixture is the primary flavor, although chicken is also available. Less common alternatives include fish and sausage. Some shawarma stores use hot dog buns or baguettes, but most have pita and lafa. Shawarma is often served with a plate of French fries or home fries; sometimes the fries are placed inside the pita as well. Sometimes, beef shawarma—despite its name—contains some lamb in addition to the beef, to ensure juiciness.
Shawarma is also eaten as a dish either by itself, served with grilled bread and garnish or sometimes with other Middle Eastern foods like Tabouli, Hummus, and Fattoush.
Around the world
While shawarma originated in Turkey under the name döner kebab (döner means "one that turns," versus çevirme, which means "turning"), it has become a ubiquitous form of fast food in many Arab countries, particularly Syria and Lebanon which have a deep-rooted tradition of preparing the dish. Here is a rundown of the areas and modes of preparation of shawarma in other places around the world:
Argentina: In Argentina, shawarma is beginning to grow in popularity, introduced by the sizeable Syrian and Armenian immigrant populations, it is consumed mainly in Buenos Aires city.
Belgium: In Belgium, which has a relatively high Turkish immigrant population in its major urban centers, shawarma is widely available at both street stands and restaurants. A very large, filling shawarma is available for around 5 euro. It is often made with a combination of lamb and beef and placed in a freshly-baked pita, garnished with salad and a choice of a zesty white garlic sauce or a spicy red sauce, or both.
Brazil: In Brazil, mainly in Sao Paulo, shawarma is a very popular street food, served with bread and a cup of artificial juice. There it is called Churrasco Grego (Greek Barbecue) and costs around US$ 0.31.
Canada:
- Montreal's Middle Eastern Arab population has made shawarma fast food restaurants ubiquitous. Chicken shawarma is called shish taouk. The city's many Greek restaurants almost always serve shawarma, usually calling it "donair."
- Ottawa is home to many shawarma restaurants; Google Maps reports 91. Sellers use a garlic sauce made from equal parts garlic and oil and a small amount of lemon juice. Shawarma sandwiches are wrapped in pita bread and are almost always garnished with onion, tomato, pickles, pickled turnips and parsley (which is usually mixed in with the onions). The shawarma restaurants in Ottawa will generally allow customers to substitute hummus for the garlic sauce at no extra charge. Despite its name, beef shawarma generally contains some lamb in addition to the beef to ensure juiciness.
- Windsor, Ontario, bordering Detroit, Michigan (which has the greatest concentration of Middle Easterners in North America), has many shawarma shops. They are located all over the inner city but are concentrated on Ouellette Avenue in a de facto entertainment district downtown. If you ever end up at Shawarma Palace, the combo is $6.83, not fucking $8.00 - don't let those bitches over charge you.
- Toronto has many different Shawarma establishments reflecting the different Shawarma styles of the globe. King Falafel, at Bathurst and Eglinton, prepares their Shawarmas in the Moroccan tradition, with a heavy emphasis on spices and different vegetables such as lettuce and a sort of cabbage.
- Vancouver, Lower Mainland, British Columbia, A large immigrant population drives shawarma and doner consumption in BC. The city of Surrey, being primarily South Asian, hosts dozens of small shawarma shops though it is more commonly referred to as donair (sic). Google lists 51 restaurants with the alternate spelling in the area. It is common to see pizza, Greek, coffee and falafel all served alongside donairs in a given establishment.
Colombia: In the numerous Middle Eastern restaurants in Barranquilla, shawarma is a favorite of guests when choosing a light meal, since other main courses have heartier portions.
Denmark: Shawarma was first introduced to Denmark in 1981 by Turkish migrant workers, and has since become a staple. In Denmark shawarma is served with julienned salad, tomatoes, creme fraiche dressing and chilli oil.
France: In France, shawarma (or chawarma) is served in Arab and Israeli restaurants. The same item can be bought from ubiquitous fast food vendors under the name sandwich grec, sandwich turc, or kebab. Although the name may imply a Greek origin, the sandwich is not a Greek gyro. As a fast food item, it is frequently served with French fries (in the sandwich, not on the side) and garnished with a yogurt sauce (sauce blanche) and/or harissa, or a number of other sauces.
India: Shawarma found its way to India via the large number of non-resident Indians who live and work in Persian Gulf countries. Sometimes porotta, a south Indian flatbread, is used instead of pita.
Israel: In Israel, shawarma is a very popular street food and is sold everywhere. Often the rotating skewer is placed at the front of the fast-food stand, exposed to the street, so that patrons can view the preparation process. Shawarma is served in a pita or a lafa and is usually eaten with salad, hummus or french fries.
Mexico: In Mexico City and Puebla, Mexico, shawarma was introduced by Middle-Eastern immigrants in the early 1920s. Nowadays, it is usually made with pork marinated in annatto paste and served on corn tortillas. This fast food is known as taco al pastor, and is also called Tacos Arabes. It is a very popular dish, and is typically eaten around midnight.
Netherlands: In the Netherlands, shawarma is a popular meal, especially after a night out. Here it is served as pork or lamb combined with salad and garlic sauce.
Pakistan: In Pakistan Shawarma has been available as a road-side snack for many years. However it acquired cult status in Karachi in the late '90s following the opening of the restaurant known as Damascus. It became closely associated with the sheesha fad which was taking place at the same time.
Philippines: In the Philippines, shawarma is a popular food found at both streetside and indoor shopping mall stalls, mostly in Metro Manila and other major cities, such as Cebu City. Along the Academic Oval of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, people flock to shawarma stalls particularly during occasions such as Christmas or the UPCAT, since the University roads are open to the public. Similar to Israeli shawarma, the rotating skewer is placed at the sidewalk, with the patrons standing around it. Shawarma is often cooked using beef in a large pita bread, and served with vegetables such as onion and tomatoes. The shawarma sandwich can usually be topped with locally made cheddar cheese for a few Philippine pesos.
Romania: In Romania, shawarma (şaorma) is hugely popular, with venues being renowned throughout a city. Shawarma is usually cooked using beef or chicken (some restaurants also serve lamb shawarma, but this is rather uncommon) in a large pita bread. It also commonly contains pickled cucumbers, fried or fresh onion, tomatoes, cabbage and sometimes gherkins, as well as French fries. The most common dressings are a combination of spicy garlic sauces, spicy red sauces (containing hot peppers, tomatoes and aromatic herbs), mayo and sweet red sauces (containing tomatoes and/or vinegar and sugar). Traditionally, the shawarma shops also sell Döner Kebabs, falafels, lemonade, ayran and kefir.
Russia: In Russia, shawarma (Template:Lang-ru or Шаверма) gained popularity in the former Soviet Republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan and has become one of the most popular street foods. It is generally eaten with a variety of julienned vegetables, tomato sauce, and garlic sauce that is wrapped in lavash. Russian-style shawarma is similar to döner kebab made of beef, pork or chicken.
South Africa: In South Africa, shawarma is extremely popular and widespread since there is a large Muslim population and hence a demand for halal food. The Anat chain of shawarma restaurants is found all over the region. Here shawarma is made with beef, chicken, turkey, or often a combination in a soft pita. Most shawarmas come standard with hummus, tahina sauce, tzatziki (garlic sauce), chili flavoring, choice of vegetables, etc. Barbecue and other sauces may be added to taste as well. Most shawarma shops augment their menus with falafel and burgers.
Taiwan: In Taiwan, shawarma (Mandarin Chinese: 沙威馬 shāwēimǎ) is usually made from chicken and is served on a leavened, white flour bun with julienned cabbage, a slice of tomato, sliced onions, ketchup, and mayonnaise. It is often sold in night markets in Taiwan.
United Kingdom: In the United Kingdom, shawarma is known as a Döner kebab.
United States: Shawarma is found in many places that host Arab and Israeli populations. In Los Angeles, for example, the large Middle Eastern population makes shawarma almost ubiquitous. New York City, particularly Queens', and South Florida's large Israeli populations makes it easy to find shawarma in all the Kosher restaurants and Israeli Food Stores. Zankou Chicken, a chain which began in Hollywood, has garnered a local cult following. Also Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan has a very large population of students from the Middle East, which has led to the opening of many hookah lounges and Middle Eastern restaurants in the area, most notably Shawarma King. Shawarma can be found in the University District of Seattle Washington.
- West Africa: Brought here by Middle Eastern migrants, shawarma (often spelled chawarma, the French spelling) is a popular street food.
Trivia
- In a segment on the Middle East conflict, Daily Show host Jon Stewart made a reference to shawarma, at which point the audience broke out in spontaneous applause. This caused Jon to ask, somewhat quizzically "Are you applauding shawarma?"