Gyros
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Gyros.jpg
Greek Gyros
The gyros is similar to the Turkish döner kebab, being a ground meat roasted in vertically rotating cones from which slices of meat are cut. The pronunciation of gyros varies, with one linguist noting 5 pronunciations in Greece. [] is one of the leading pronunciations in some regions of the world where the dish is served. Gyros and souvlaki are sometimes used as interchangeable terms in Greece although they refer to two different dishes.
Regional Variations
In Greece, the meat is either lamb, beef, pork or chicken. Strips of the meat are put onto the rotisserie, and as the meat cooks chippings are sliced off. Popular toppings include onion, tomato, cucumber, dried hot pepper, French fries, and various sauces and salads including ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, tzatziki, and 'Hungarian salad' (mayonnaise and bacon).
In Thessaloniki an order 'with everything' includes tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard, and french fries in addition to the meat. Pitas are available in at least three types: 'plain', 'Cypriot', and 'Arabian'. 'Plain' pita is around 22cm in diameter and the thickest and greasiest of the three. 'Cypriot' pita is the same size but somewhat thinner, and split like pocket bread. Finally, 'Arabian' pita is crispy, and the flattest and largest.
In the United States, gyros is either made from minced beef or a combination of minced lamb and beef. Occasionally minced chicken is used. The pita is similar to a Greek 'plain' pita, although sometimes its split open. Common fillings are lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber. The only sauce available is usually tzatziki, sometimes called 'cucumber sauce'.
Similar Foods
- Döner kebab (Turkish)
- Shawarma (Middle-Eastern?)
- Taco al pastor (Mexican)
- Souvlaki (Greek)de:Gyros