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Tourkakia (grilled offal)

Tourkakia (grilled offal)

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Tourkakia is one of the traditional delicacies we first ate in Sparta. Fragrant offal from goat or lamb wrapped in caul fat, grilled over charcoal and served as appetizers. 

In the Ionian islands they are know as “frigadelia” (see update below).

Tourkakia or frigadeli on the skewers image

We had a wonderful time during Easter.   Our children came to Assini from Athens and spent Easter day with our neighbours.

Ovelias and kokoretsi image

We roasted a lamb on the spitkokoretsi and sheftalia.

sheftalia during Easter image

We Greeks, love offal and cook them in many ways.  One of the best ways to try them is grilled over charcoal but a gas grill will do as well.  

I know that many of you may be grossed, just by hearing the word “offal” but trust me you should try them.  The taste is amazing!

You can’t even say that this is a recipe because it is so simple to make.  You only need some lamb or goat liver, lungs, sweetbreads, etc., and caul fat.  

All you have to do is season them with salt, pepper and oregano, wrap them in caul fat and then grill them.

lamb offal being wrapped in caul fat image

As the leftover caul fat from Easter grilling was not enough,  we just skewered the remaining offal with some leftover caul fat in between each piece.  

The original ones are wrapped in small parcels with the cal fat and then grilled.   These were also delicious but the other ones were even tastier as the fat melts through the offal, adding extra taste.

Tourkakia grilled picture

What are Tourkakia?

Tourkakia, literally mean little Turks.  This is a meze dish we learned in Sparta.  

Although I asked some of the locals who introduced us to this wonderful dish, they didn’t know why they are called so.  

I searched the internet to see if I could find a similar recipe with information but unfortunately, I did not find either.  The only recipe I found with the name Tourkakia were some fiery cured little peppers.

There is an expression in Greek “Ginomai Tourkos” which means I become a Turk, when someone becomes angry and fiery, usually, out of anger.  

I am not sure of their origin but my presumption is that may be the original recipe was fiery.

In any case, these are so finger licking delicious!

We grilled some on Easter Monday.  Although, we still had some leftover lamb and kokoretsi from Sunday, it was our son’s name day and made some as a supplement to what was leftover.

Grilling tourkakia for Easter image

Update May 2019:

Many years later, we visited a “thrakotraverna” (all grill restaurant) in Nafplio and the owner offered us a delicacy called “frigadelia”.  To our surprise this was exactly the same as “tourkakia”. 

I asked if it was a local delicacy and the owner told us that this is a delicacy originates in Lefkada island but it is served all over Greece.

Frigadeli or Tourkakia image
Tourkakia served image

Tourkakia (grilled offal)

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Tourkakia is one of the traditional delicacies we first ate in Sparta. Fragrant offal from goat or lamb wrapped in caul fat and grill over charcoal.

Ingredients

  • Lamb offal (liver, lungs, sweetbread, heart), from 1 lamb or goat, cut into pieces
  • 1 lamb caul fat
  • Vinegar or lemon juice
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Oregano
  • Lemon Juice
  • Parsley

Instructions

  1. Place the offal in a pot with hot water, add some vinegar or lemon juice and allow them to soak for ten minutes. Drain and refill the pot with fresh cold water. Rinse and drain.
  2. Cut them into small pieces, about 4 x 4 cm and season them with salt, pepper and oregano.
  3. Put a little bit of everything on the caul fat and wrap them once to enclose the offal. Cut the caul fat and continue.
  4. Thread these little parcels on two skewers or on a grill.
  5. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill. When the charcoal is ready, put them on the grill and cook on all sides until, golden and crispy.
  6. Serve with some lemon juice and parsley on top.

Notes

Tourkakia is one of the traditional delicacies we first ate in Sparta. Fragrant offal from goat or lamb wrapped in caul fat and grill over charcoal.

Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 113Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 67mgSodium 69mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 15g

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Tried this recipe? Tag me @ivyliac and use the hashtag #kopiaste!

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Collage Tourkakia on the skewers image

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,

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Todd

Thursday 16th of March 2017

Hmm...I'm not usually a fan of lamb meat, but may have to try lamb lung and livers. I'm always up for trying something new. I need to figure out where I can buy these locally. I'm sure my brother would like these, so if I don't enjoy them, I know they'll be eaten.

banana wonder

Friday 10th of May 2013

Wow! This is intense, but a good use of all the animal. Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

PG

Wednesday 8th of May 2013

I didn't know anything about caul fat until I saw it in a TV food show. The grilled food looks amazing indeed! Since the weather here isn't good since yesterday evening, these pictures are just what i need, they reminded me of the wonderful summer holiday when we visited friends at the mediterranian sea in summer, the heat, the grill and all.

Juliana

Wednesday 8th of May 2013

Wow, what a meal...you sure used everything...nothing goes to waste. Awesome! Have a lovely week Ivy :)

Kanak Hagjer

Tuesday 7th of May 2013

Everything looks so delicious!

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