Diyarbakır hırçikli meftunesi is a traditional dish from Diyarbakır, Türkiye, made with lamb meat and locally dried vegetables, named after “hırçik,” the local term for the stalk of dried eggplants. Protected as a mahreç indication under Industrial Property Law No. 6769, it was registered on January 20, 2022, with an application date of November 11, 2020, by the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Its reputation is intrinsically tied to Diyarbakır, with production restricted to the province.

Distinctive Features

The dish features lamb meat, dried eggplants with stalks (hırçikli), dried tomatoes, dried green peppers, clarified butter, tomato paste, and sumac berries. The use of locally sourced ingredients and traditional drying and cooking techniques gives the dish its distinctive regional character, deeply rooted in Diyarbakır’s culinary culture.

Production Method

Ingredients (Serves ~6):

• 0.5 kg lamb meat
• 400 g dried eggplants with stalks (hırçikli)
• 50 g dried tomatoes
• 50 g dried green peppers
• 2 tbsp clarified butter
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup sumac berries
• 15 g salt

Preparation Steps:

1. Sumac is soaked in hot water and strained to extract its juice.
2. Dried eggplants are separated from their stalks, cut into four pieces, and boiled with the stalks.
3. Dried tomatoes and green peppers are added and boiled briefly.
4. Lamb meat is seared, boiled, and then cooked with clarified butter, tomato paste, the boiled vegetables, salt, and strained sumac juice on low heat.
5. The dish is served hot, optionally flavored with crushed garlic.

Geographical Boundary and Production Conditions

All production stages must occur within Diyarbakır province, as the dish’s historical and cultural identity, along with its specific ingredients and preparation methods, are tied to the region.

Inspection Process

Inspections are coordinated by the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry, conducted at least annually by a committee of at least three members, including representatives from the Diyarbakır Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. Additional inspections may occur as needed or upon complaints, verifying ingredient suitability, adherence to the production method, and proper use of the "Mahreç Indication".