What to Eat in Darende: Famous Dishes and Local Products

Famous Dishes of Darende

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  Darende Pekmezi (Darende molasses)

  Grape and mulberry molasses is indispensable to Darende's traditional winter preparations. It is produced by natural methods.

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  Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper)

  Lamb cooked with vegetables wrapped in greaseproof paper and baked in the oven. The recipe, passed down through generations, varies slightly in each family.

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  Darende kayısısı (Darende apricots)

  Apricots are the district's biggest source of income. There are around 1.5 million apricot trees in the district.

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  Çirli aş (apricot dish)

  An apricot dish named on Darende's table in a column in the newspaper Sabah. The recipe is not given in the source.

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  Helle

  A dish made with flour that appears on the Darende table.

These dishes are known throughout Malatya province; see the provincial food guide for details.

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  Malatya Analı Kızlı Köfte (stuffed and plain meatballs in sour broth)

  A dish with a registered geographical indication, in which stuffed and plain meatballs are cooked in a sour broth with chickpeas.

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  Malatya Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped kebab)

  A kebab with a registered geographical indication.

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  Malatya İçli Köftesi (stuffed meatballs)

  Stuffed meatballs (içli köfte) with a registered geographical indication.

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  Yeşilyurt Kiraz Yaprağı Sarması (cherry-leaf dolma)

  Dolma wrapped in cherry leaves, with a registered geographical indication.

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  Arapgir Dolaması (Arapgir wrapped dish)

  A local dish with a registered geographical indication.

What to Buy in Darende: Local Products

• Kayısı (apricots) Darende's climate is suited to apricot growing. Dried apricots and apricot products are important sources of income for the district.
• Pekmez (molasses) Grape and mulberry molasses is produced by traditional methods and sold in regional markets.

What Darende Is Famous For: Culture and Traditions

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  Somuncu Baba Geleneği (Somuncu Baba Tradition)

  Thanks to the tomb of Somuncu Baba, Darende is an important centre of faith tourism. Commemorative events held every year attract thousands of visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Darende Travel Guide

• 📍 Things to Do in Darende 7 places to visit →
• 🗺️ What to Eat in Malatya All the famous dishes of the province →

What to Eat in Other Districts of Malatya

• Akçadağ 3 dishes Akçadağ Pilavı, Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)
• Arapgir 6 dishes Arapgir Balıklı Pilav (fish pilaf), Arapgir Deli Kız Baklavası and Arapgir Gelin Kız Helvası
• Arguvan 2 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)
• Battalgazi 3 dishes Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup), Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Kayısı Tatlısı (apricot dessert)
• Doğanşehir 2 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)
• Doğanyol 2 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
• Hekimhan 4 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (paper-wrapped lamb), Keşkek and Hekimhan Katmeri
• Kale 2 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)
• Kuluncak 2 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)
• Pütürge 2 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)
• Yazıhan 2 dishes Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)
• Yeşilyurt 3 dishes Yeşilyurt Kiraz Yaprağı Sarma Köftesi (meatballs wrapped in cherry leaves), Kağıt Kebabı (lamb baked in paper) and Analı Kızlı Çorbası (meatball and chickpea soup)