Sheftalia: Preparing the Famous Cypriot Dish

Sheftalia is a traditional Cypriot dish resembling sausages made from minced meat, spices, and herbs, wrapped in caul fat. Read on to learn more about caul fat and how to prepare this dish.

• What is Sheftalia
• Sheftalia Recipes
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sheftalia

The dish's name comes from the Turkish word "şeftali" (meaning "peach") due to the characteristic pinkish hue of the cooked meat and its shape, which resembles the fruit. These aromatic sausages are grilled, giving them a unique flavor and a crispy crust.

Cypriots take pride in sheftalia, which symbolizes their culinary traditions and delights visitors to the island. It’s typically served with local bread or pita, salads, fries, lemon, and, of course, olive oil.

Caul fat, an essential part of the dish, is a thin layer of net-like fat. It’s usually pork, but occasionally beef fat is used.

Sheftalia Recipes

Classic Sheftalia Recipe

Ingredients

• 500 g pork mince (or a mix of pork and beef)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 bunch of parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp salt
• pork caul fat (pre-rinsed and squeezed)

Preparation

1. Combine the mince with onion, parsley, salt, pepper, and coriander. Mix well to create a uniform mixture.
2. Divide the mixture into small portions and form them into elongated sausages.
3. Wrap each sausage in a piece of caul fat, sealing the edges gently.
4. Heat the grill and cook the sheftalia until golden brown, turning them regularly to cook evenly.
5. Serve with pita, fries, and fresh vegetables.

Sheftalia with Mint and Lemon

Ingredients

• 500 g lamb mince
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 bunch of parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp dried mint
• zest of one lemon
• salt and black pepper to taste
• pork caul fat

Preparation

1. Combine the mince with onion, parsley, mint, cinnamon, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
2. Form into small, elongated sausages and wrap them in caul fat.
3. Grill until golden brown.
4. Serve with lemon slices and bread.

Sheftalia with Halloumi Cheese

Ingredients

• 500 g pork mince
• 1/2 cup grated halloumi cheese
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
• salt and black pepper to taste
• pork caul fat

Preparation

1. Mix the mince with halloumi, onion, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
2. Form into small sausages and wrap them in caul fat.
3. Grill or barbecue until golden.
4. Serve hot with olive oil and fresh vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sheftalia

Are there any special preparation tips?

Before cooking, soak the caul fat in warm water to remove excess fat and odor. For easier grilling, you can refrigerate the sausages briefly to help them hold their shape.

What types of meat are used to make sheftalia?

Most commonly, pork is used for the preparation. Sometimes a mix of pork and beef or lamb is used, and very rarely is sheftalia made entirely from beef.

What other traditional dishes are popular in Cyprus?

Popular dishes include souvlaki (meat skewers), moussaka (minced meat with eggplant and potatoes), afelia (pork marinated in red wine with coriander), stifado (beef in wine with onions), and kleftiko (lamb mince with potatoes).

Can you buy sheftalia in stores?

Yes, it’s available in many outlets. You can find it in three forms: ready-made (mostly in large supermarkets), chilled, and frozen.

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