Liver kebabs (Middle Eastern and Turkish)
AI-generated illustration
Liver kebabs, known as 'ciğer şiş' in Turkish, are a popular street food and meze dish from the Middle East and Turkey. They consist of small cubes of liver (typically lamb or beef) marinated with spices like cumin, paprika, and sumac, then threaded onto skewers and grilled over charcoal.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is very high in protein and fat, with minimal carbohydrates. It is an excellent source of iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin A, and a single serving (about 100g of cooked liver) provides roughly 200-250 calories.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a beloved, affordable comfort food often enjoyed in bustling markets and late-night eateries. Nutritionally, it's a potent source of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body than plant-based iron, making it a traditional remedy for fatigue in some regions.