Bostana | The Salad Made With Whatever There Is In The Orchard

Steppe grasslands are one of the natural ecosystems of the Southeastern Anatolian ecoregion, located at the northern end of the Fertile Crescent.

Şanlıurfa's plant species are the wild ancestors of various cereals, especially wheat and barley. 1668 plant taxons exist in the region, 107 of which are endemic.

Scientific studies on the traditional use of steppe plants by the local people are limited.

However, the fact that traditional recipes such as Bostana vary periodically indicates that Şanlıurfa cuisine is shaped by traditional knowledge and practices related to the biodiversity of the region.

Bereket's Urban Garden | Şanlıurfa

Bostana, which translates to whatever is in the orchard in the local dialect, is a cold starter. It is a traditional Şanlıurfa recipe in which ingredients vary according to the season.

In different seasons, it can be prepared with koruk juice, pomegranate syrup, radishes, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, tomato paste, fresh mint, fresh parsley, spring onions and various spices.

References

---

FAO-MoAF. 2020. Şanlıurfa Steppe Conservation Strategy and Action Plan. Conservation and Sustainable Management of Turkey’s Steppe Ecosystems Project Publication. Ankara, Turkey. Doğa Koruma Merkezi, 179 pages.