After a wonderful week in Istanbul, my family traveled south to the town of Kucukkuyu on the Aegean coast. I say we traveled south, but in order to get here, we actually drove west around the Marmara Sea on the European side, and then took a ferry across the Dardanelles to arrive here. I had learned about the strategic importance of the Dardanelle Straits when I was in high school, and about Russia’s efforts to take them from Turkey. I guess back then I could not quite grasp how important this body of water really was. But being here now, and traveling through the narrow waterway, that opens up the door to Asia like a key, I have a newfound wonder at Turkey’s geographical position.
Anyway, as I have already mentioned, we are settled in a small seaside village called Kuçukkuyu. My cousins have an apartment here, which they have owned for more than 10 years. Rumor has it that this area has the best food in Turkey, due to its abundance of fresh produce. The area is well known for its olives, and there are groves covering the landscape. It is also famous for its tomatoes, and we have managed to eat them at every meal. We eat them sliced for breakfast, along with cucumbers, olives, and cheese. They are a permanent fixture at lunch and dinner in çoban salatasi, a “Shepard” salad, with chopped tomato, zucchini, and peppers, as well as a myriad of other stews and sauces. The area is also famous for their Ezine cheese, a strong-flavored goats milk cheese, which is served in triangular slices at every meal.
One thing that I like about Turkish cuisine is the combination of flavors and textures that balance each other out: salty and sweet, crunchy and soft, etc. For example, watermelon is often eaten here combined with white cheese. It is a very simple preparation: watermelon slices are served next to slices of the salty semi- soft cheese. Not only does it combine salty and sweet, but also crisp and smooth. Many people have been putting out recipes of this type of dish, as it has become a popular combination also in the States. I just read this one for Watermelon Salad with Feta or Cotija at Simply Recipes. But don't worry about needing any additional ingredients- do like the Turks do: simple slices of watermelon and white (feta) cheese side by side.