Turkish Shish kebab

Most of the people in the United States are familiar with the shish kebab. Contrary to American versions of the dish, Turkish shish kebab comes with or without vegetables on the same skewer as the meat. 

Kebab refers to Turkish definition of Shish Kebab. Vegetables typically used include eggplant, tomato, bell pepper, onion and mushrooms. A similar Greek food is called Souvlaki or Kalamaki.

Shish kebab is quintessential Turkish meal. In Turkish cuisine, 'şiş' refers to the metal skewer the meat is laced on. Chunks of marinated lamb or beef are placed on the skewers. Turkish skewers are made of flattened metal about eighteen inches long.

The meat is often marinated in yogurt and flavored with bell pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Cinnamon, coriander seeds and pomegranate juice might also be added for extra flavour.
Turkish Shish kebab

Origin of kebab

Kebabs are a popular Middle Eastern takeaway fast food. They are a meat dish consisting of shaved slices of chicken, beef or lamb (or vegetarian option of falafel) eaten in a roll of flat bread (unleavened) with salad and sauce.

The word is Arabic in origin and comes from the word keba, which means "to turn." It’s believed this word came from the medieval Persian soldiers that would cook their meat over the fire using their swords as big skewers.

English originally acquired the term in the late seventeenth century via Hindi kabab. At first it was spelled cabab or kabob, and it took a long time to settle down orthographically; indeed in American English kabob remains the preferred spelling.

Ibn Battuta, the famous Moroccan traveler has mentioned that Kebab was an integral part of the daily diet of Indian royalty as early as 1200 AD.
Origin of kebab