Şambali

🥚 Vegetarian

Şambali is a Turkish dessert made with semolina, sugar and yogurt or milk, closely related to revani but firmer and more intense. Its name means "Damascus honey" in Turkish.

History

Sources place its origin in Syria and note that it reached İzmir, on Turkey's Aegean coast, where it became very popular.

The name comes from the Turkish Şam balı, referring to Şam, that is Damascus, and to honey. In Istanbul it is known as şambaba. The exact date and the person who brought it to Turkey are not documented.

Culture

It is a widely loved street dessert in İzmir, sold at street corners and from glass-fronted carts pushed by the vendor, alongside other classics of Turkish street food. It is served in portions topped with pine nuts. Its firm texture sets it apart from revani, another dessert much prized across the country.

Trivia

A name meaning honey. Its Turkish name, Şam balı, translates as "Damascus honey", although honey is not its main ingredient.

Sold from carts. In İzmir it is sold on the street from glass-fronted carts pushed by hand by the vendor.