The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-12
FIGHTING TURK
IS LARGELY
A VEGETARIAN
In Spite Of Superstition about
the 0mnivorous Character
of the True Warrior.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 11.-"Thc
fghting Turk is largely vegetarian,
and this In spite of the superstition
about the omniv0rOus character OF the
true warrior" according to a sketch
recently prepared by the National Geo
ographlc Society. which tolls Of the
staples OF the Turkish table and de-
scribes some of the favorite dishes of
folk upon the Bosphorus. The sketch
is as follows:
Turkish fare is distinguished by
Its simplicity. The Turkish kitchen
might DO put at one end Of the scale
and the French kitchen at the other.
The complexities of Partisan cookery
demand long and careful education
for clear comprehension OF their
values and for proper appreciation,
while the dishes Of constantinople. at
least those which appear upon The
tables OF Turks in the ordinary for
tunes OF life, are rudlmentary.
Turkish Staples.
Vegetables. fruits and grains are
the staples Of the Turkish kitchen.
breakfast on the Bosphorus consists
OF small cup Of Turkish coffee and
a roll. At noon there Is a howl of
sour milk tyaourD and bread. Thick
Turkish coffee Is taken again in the
afternoon to key zip appetities for
the principal meal which comes at
night. This meal includes. probably,
pllaf (meat and rice). several kinds
OF vegetables. pastry and thick coffee.
The workman's meal Is still more sim
plea chunk OF bread and an onion
or n bunch OF grapes.
There are. however, some dishes
upon the Turkish bill of fare, which
the returned westerner never wholly
ceases to regret. Pilaif is one. 1t liz
food as national with the Turk as
the potato with the Irish, as the cao-
bage with the German. It takes a
multitude OF forms, but its basic quail
ity. its quality Of being pilaif is de-
rived from rice being cooked in such
way as to preserve each grain firm
and distinct. The rice is unpublished,
ana. takes on gelatinous coat. Some
times. 1t is boiled in mutton fat, rich
smooth inviting dish. Sometimes bits
OF roast mutton are mingled with e.
when 1t becomes meat pudding Of
delicious flavor. II is cooked with
small currants and pinenuts. fragrant
and spicy. 1t is stuffed with dates
and favored with orange peal; but.
whatever Its form. II is one of the
treasured memories OF visit to the
near East.
Egg plant Is the foundation OF an
other favored Turkish dish. 1t is
stuffed with chopped onions and rice
and cooked in oil. 1t is, also, stuffed
with meat marrows and rice. and
steamed until 1t becomes culinary
inspiration. The westerner further
more. learns to enjoy many OF the
milk foods prepared by the Turks.
Iaourt, cultured milk as thick as soIr
cream, prepared from the rick milk
OF the buffalo COW. is a satisfaction TO
the most pampered diner. Chicken
breast milk, make from grated chick
en- breasts; Jelly like rice milk. starchy
pudding, eaten with sugar and rose
water; and yaourt. with chopped nut
meats, are other dishes.
Pond of Sweets.
The Turks are fond OF sweets.
They prepare kind OF bread, which
they soak in honey and eat with rice
cream. They also. prepare pastry N
strings soaked in honey. Their fruits
are excellent, better in quality and Ct
greater variety than the fruits OF the
West. Meats. alone OF raw food ma
terials,, with the exception Of mutton,
are poor in Turkey. but, then, the
Turk is good deal OF a vegetarian.
THE simple diet of the Turk has
taken nothing from his good physique:
rather. likely. 1t is one OF the main
sources OF his health and strength.
The Turkish porter. as hamal, dimes
on a chunk Of bread. costing one cent
together with melon. or bunch of
grapes. or an onion, or piece Of
cheese. to the cost of another cent.
and considers his meal complete. Yet
his daily toll consists In carrying
packing cases. pianos and other knick
knacks around on his back 70 the as
tonishment Of every visitor acquainted
only with the prowess Of porters in
the West. This rugged Turkish burden
bearer eats a dinner at night which
in times Of peace costs about four
CENTS bowl OF Pillar with bits Of
neat IN Il"