Pastirma - Definition and Overview

Pastırma is a kind of Turkish deli meat. Its name comes from bastırma, meaning "being pressed", for the beef is squeezed between stones to lose all of its water content. Then it is covered with a paste called çemen, prepared with crushed fenugreek seeds, garlic, and hot paprika and left for drying. It can be served as a cold hors d'oeuvre or may be added to different dishes, the most famous of which is bean dish. The most competent producers of pastırma are from Kayseri. There is also a less common kind of pastırma called Rumeli Pastırması originated from the Balkans, prepared without çemen, which is possibly related to pastrami.