Jan – May, 2013
In America the word kebab usually refers to shish kebab, which is chunks of meat threaded onto a skewer and grilled. In New Zealand (and for that matter the Middle East), kebabs refer to meat sliced from one large hunk grilled on a skewer and served with salads (veggies) over rice or piled on a piece of flat bread and wrapped like a burrito. Kebab places are very popular in New Zealand. (Kiwis say “ka-BAAB,” with a Baaaa like sheep.)
Basically you go into the establishment and place your order at the counter. The server will lay out your flat bread (or bowl of rice), add your meat of choice (beef, chicken, lamb, falafel, or any combo of those), and then add the salads of your choice (carrots, beets, lettuce, onions, rice salad, etc). On top of this goes hummus, and finally your choice of 3 condiments (things like garlic yogurt, aioli, avocado sauce, sweet or spicy chili sauces, etc.). It’s then wrapped like a burrito to be eaten out of hand or with a knife and fork. It’s like the Middle Eastern version of Subway, but the results are much tastier.
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui each have a branch of our favorite kebab eatery, Turkish to Go, so we could fulfill our kebab cravings no matter which town we were in. –Cyndi
