Kebabs

Kebabs are a key dish in Iranian cuisine, usually featuring lamb (SBS). In addition, mutton, chicken, and duck are found in kebabs (Cleary). There are several varieties of kebabs, including tikka, which is thick and chunky, and kabab-barg, which is much finer. Kebabs are generally prepared by marinating the meat in onion and lemon juice, adding herbs, and occasionally wrapping it in taftun or sangak breads (SBS). Then, it is served along with tomatoes, rice, flatbread, and raw onions (Noll).

Chelo kebab
(https://www.allfoodsrecipes.com/chicken-chelo-kebab/)

The chelo kebab is one of the most popular Iranian dishes, known as the national dish of Iran (SBS). It is rumored that the Persian Qajar king Naser al-Din Shah’s favorite dish was chelo kebab. To make chelo kebab, a chef must first prepare the chelo rice, which is white rice that is steamed and seasoned with saffron. Then, it is mixed with melted butter and sumac, another spice commonly found in Persian cooking. Lastly, it is topped with a kebab (Fallahi).

Chelo rice
(https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/persian-steamed-white-rice-em-chelo-em-51109800)

Kebabs can be served in a variety of ways. Kubideh is one of the most common presentation of a kebab and is composed of ground beef or lamb, which is mixed with onion and placed on skewers. Generally, this is served on two skewers (Fallahi).

Kubideh kebab
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/isfahan-kabob-san-jose?select=-yb3YZrIDQpx2bUx9d82iA)

Barg, on the other hand, is a kebab typically served on only one skewer. Barg usually consists of lamb or beef fillet that is soaked in olive oil and onions. A popular dish called a sultani contains a combination of barg and kubideh (Fallahi).

Barg kebab
(http://www.iranchamber.com/recipes/meat/kabab_barg.php)

Joojeh is another type of kebab that is made with grilled chicken combined with oil and saffron. This is featured in another combination dish known as bakhtiari, which includes joojeh and kubideh kebabs (Fallahi).

Joojeh kebab
(http://www.tumblingpots.com/blog/joojeh-kabob-persian-chicken-kabob)

Shishlik is a variety of kebab that comes from the Shandiz area, outside the holy city of Mashhad. This kebab features lamb that is cooked with the bones (Fallahi).

Shishlik kebab
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/497295983828296727/?lp=true)

Kebab torsh, also known as sour kebab, is made of sirloin and soaked in walnuts, pomegranate, parsley, garlic, and olive oil. This kebab is found especially in the northern Gilan province (Fallahi).

Kebab torsh
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZitG-lUUiY)