Cağ kebabı, prepared by turning lamb on a horizontal spit over a wood fire, has a special flavour from the meat of sheep raised on Horasan's wide pastures.
A traditional soup made with yoghurt, cracked wheat and mint. It is a nourishing dish that is never absent from tables on cold winter days in Horasan.
A traditional dessert made of thin kadayıf pastry wrapped around walnuts, baked and soaked in syrup. In Horasan it is a classic favourite at weddings and festivals.
These dishes are known throughout Erzurum province; see the provincial food guide for details.
A kebab with a registered geographical indication, cooked on a horizontal skewer over a wood fire and served on the cağ skewer.
Shredded kadayıf filled with walnuts and soaked in syrup; it has a registered geographical indication.
A registered börek made with layers of boiled yufka and cheese.
A registered soup made with yoghurt, wheat and herbs.
A syrupy dough dessert with a registered geographical indication.
A registered traditional dessert made with flour, butter and sugar.
Throughout history Horasan was an important stopping point between Erzurum and Kars on the Silk Road. The name of the district comes from Turkmen tribes who migrated from the Khorasan region of Iran.
The Horasan plain and the surrounding pastures have been the centre of livestock farming for centuries. Cattle and sheep farming form the basis of the region's economic and cultural identity.
Horasan is known for 3 local dishes, above all Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), Ayran Aşı (yoghurt and wheat soup) and Kadayıf Dolması (walnut-filled kadayıf). Cağ kebabı, prepared by turning lamb on a horizontal spit over a wood fire, has a special flavour from the meat of sheep raised on Horasan's wide pastures.
Horasan is known for Cağ Kebabı (horizontal spit-roasted lamb), Horasan Honey (Horasan Balı) and Silk Road Crossroads. Its best-known sights include Horasan Castle and Aras River Valley.
Local products and souvenirs to buy in Horasan include Horasan Honey (Horasan Balı) and Civil Cheese (Civil Peyniri).