Shish Kebab History

Shish Kebab History

It is written that Christopher Columbus was fond of Portuguese espetadas, a beef shish kebab marinated in wine and roasted on an open fire.

The term shish kebab comes from Turkish words literally meaning "skewer" and "roast meat," and it is a signature Turkish meal. Kebabs were a natural solution for nomadic tribes. Unusual meats were marinated not only to tenderize, but also to get rid of some of the gamey flavor.

Today, shish kebabs have expanded into most cultures in some form or another. Oriental cultures have satay, which is roasted skewered meats served with a dipping sauce usually made with peanuts. Japan has yakitori, which is grilled skewered fowl. In France, they are called brochettes, meaning "skewer."

You will often find this dish commonly misspelled as shish kabobs or shish kababs.

More About Shish Kebabs and Shish Kebab Recipes

• Shish Kebab Cooking Tips
• Shish Kebab History
• Shish Kebab Recipes
_{Shish Kebab Photo © 2009 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.}