Tire Şiş Köfte

Tire Şiş Köfte is a traditional meatball variety unique to the Tire district of İzmir, made from beef or veal, shaped into thin, elongated forms, and cooked wrapped around skewers. The product has been protected under geographical indication registration by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office as of 12 February 2021. Registered by the Tire Chamber of Commerce under the category of “certification mark,” it may be produced under this name only within the boundaries of the Tire district of İzmir.

Tire Şiş Köfte (AA)

History and Geographical Link

The history of Tire Şiş Köfte extends back to the 1900s. Widely consumed in kebab restaurants in Tire, the product gradually began to be shipped to various regions of Türkiye through pre-cooking and freezing processes. The strong association of the product with Tire is rooted in its long-standing production tradition and presentation methods that have become synonymous with the region.

Ingredients

The preparation of the meatball typically involves the following ingredients: ground beef or veal, salt, semolina or flour (optional), dried onion, black pepper, cumin, tomato, butter, parsley, and yogurt. However, in the traditional recipe, no additives are used other than salt and a minimal amount of flour.

Production Characteristics

Tire Şiş Köfte is produced using beef or veal containing no more than 20 percent fat. The meat is cleaned of bones, tendons, nerves, membranes, and excess fat. It is then ground twice through a meat grinder fitted with a 3 or 3.5 mm sieve. The resulting mince is salted at a rate not exceeding 2 percent and is preferably prepared without additives. Optionally, up to 2 percent wheat flour may be added. The mixture is rested for 16 to 24 hours at a temperature of 0–4 °C.

The rested mince is passed again through the same sieve and wrapped around chrome-plated square skewers to form cylinders 50 cm in length and 5 mm in thickness. The skewered meatballs are pre-cooked by smoking over wood fire until the core temperature reaches at least 72 °C. After pre-cooking, the meatballs are removed from the skewers, cooled to room temperature, and then stored again at 0–4 °C for another 16 to 24 hours.

Service and Consumption Traditions

Tire Şiş Köfte is traditionally served by cooking it in a copper pan with butter. It is commonly accompanied by tomato sauce, chopped parsley, and Tire yogurt. The product is served fresh in restaurants and is also sold in markets after pre-cooking and vacuum packaging.

Consumption Forms

Tire Şiş Köfte is delivered to the end consumer in two forms:

1. Semi-finished (Vacuum-packed): After pre-cooking, the meatballs are vacuum-sealed and preserved under modified atmosphere. They are stored at 0–4 °C and can be fully cooked at home.
2. Butter-cooked (Ready-to-serve):
3. Plain Butter: The meatballs are cooked solely in butter in a copper pan.
4. Butter with Tomato: The meatballs are cooked in butter with the addition of tomato.
5. Butter with Tomato and Yogurt: The meatballs, cooked in butter with tomato, are served with yogurt.

In these presentations, portions are typically 150 grams. Chopped parsley may be added on top. Traditionally, sheep yogurt is served alongside.