Tava de Midye

Midye tava is a delightfully good Turkish street food that is also served as an appetizer or a snack, consisting of fried mussels on a stick. Crispy and flavorful, the mussels are first battered, then deep-fried in a big metal cauldron. Hot oil is placed in the center of the cauldron, which has quite a wide rim in order for mussels stick to be arranged on it, as well as to drain all of the excess oil. The wide rim has another important function – it keeps the mussels warm, since the dish is usually sold by street vendors, especially in seaside neighborhoods scattered throughout Istanbul. When served, the mussels need only a dash of salt and a side of tangy tarator sauce for dipping.