Yalanji (يالانجي) – Stuffed Grape Leaves *

Another stuffed dish I’m sure you will be surprised to hear its translated name is Yalanji. Yalanji is a cold appetizer that captivates tourists’ hearts. The filling is made from rice and different kinds of chopped vegetables.  Indeed, Yalanji is a Turkish word meaning “liar” because there is no meat in the filling, making it an excellent vegetarian choice. This food’s origin is unclear, but its fame has reached other countries besides Syria: the Middle East, Turkey, Greece, and even Middle Asia.  n Syria, a “meaty version” of Yalanji is Yabarq. The filling has meat and rice, then cooked in lemon juice. Don’t skip this delightful food if you want to make a twist for your meal.