Şanlıurfa Keme Boranısı is a traditional hot dish specific to the province of Şanlıurfa. It is made with keme mushroom and round bulgur meatballs (yuvalak), and served with clarified butter (sadeyağ), lamb meat, and garlic yogurt. Due to the natural growth season of the keme mushroom, the dish is produced only during the spring months. It was registered in 2019 as a product with a designation of origin under geographical indication protection.

Structural Characteristics

Şanlıurfa Keme Boranısı is a two-part dish prepared with locally grown Terfezya species mushrooms, meat from the İvesi breed of lamb, fine bulgur, Şanlıurfa clarified butter, and Şanlıurfa pepper. The main dish features a broth-like mix containing mushrooms and meat, accompanied by fried miniature meatballs (yuvalak) and garlic yogurt on the side.

The keme mushroom grows naturally only in the arid and permeable soils around Şanlıurfa. It appears between late March and early May, becoming visible as it pushes up the soil, which is how foragers identify and collect it. The dish is only produced during this limited period.

Production Method and Serving Style

Boranı Meatballs (Yuvalak)

• Fine bulgur and other ingredients are kneaded into a cohesive mixture.
• Onions are removed, and the mixture is rolled into chickpea-sized balls.
• The meatballs are fried in hot oil until golden brown.

Main Dish

• Keme mushrooms are washed, peeled, and chopped into small pieces.
• İvesi lamb meat and marrow bones are boiled; bones are later removed.
• The meat and mushrooms are sautéed in clarified butter, then cooked with tomato paste, salt, and black pepper.

Presentation

Fried meatballs are placed on a serving plate. The hot keme mixture is poured over them. Garlic yogurt is added on top, and the dish is optionally served with rice.

Geographical Area, Registration, and Supervision

The product was registered on September 4, 2019, under the Geographical Indications provisions of Industrial Property Law No. 6769 as a designation of origin (Registration No: 450, Application No: C2014/039). The geographical area is limited to the province of Şanlıurfa. The registration holder is the Şanlıurfa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Supervision is coordinated by the Şanlıurfa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Şanlıurfa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, and experts from relevant professional chambers. The origin of the meat used is documented and controlled. Production is restricted to the season when fresh keme mushrooms are naturally available.