Stuffed Mussels in Turkey: a Killing!

Impossible to miss when you walk around Istanbul: the sellers of stuffed mussels (midye dolma in Turkish).They are often proposed by street vendors, but also in the bouis-bouis where they are available and already laid out on your table. Even if I’m a big fan of discovering street food everywhere I go, at first, it was niet! Too afraid to get sick eating not fresh seafood.It was when I saw someone tasting them that I realized that these mussels were stuffed. At that moment, I decided to test it.And… it was a revelation, these stuffed mussels, which are eaten cold, are a killer! An explosion of flavor in the mouth. Generously sized, they are garnished with spicy rice. With a good squeeze of lemon, it’s a delight! Definitely a great discovery. Since then, I find it hard to resist the temptation as soon as I meet a salesman who offers some :-)Molds are sold individually, 1 TL each. Sometimes a chouilla more in restaurants.You can buy them to take away, in which case the seller will put them in a plastic bag, or you can eat them on the spot at the seller’s stand.This is the solution I prefer. The salesman will open them one by one, sprinkle them with lemon and hand you the mussel. The shell that has been opened is then used as a spoon, very practical.Once your tasting is over, the seller will hand you a towel to wash your hands.Having tested several street vendors, I have never been sick so far. I therefore strongly recommend you to test, you won’t regret it 🙂