souvlaki

American  

[soov-lah-kee] / suvˈlɑ ki /

Also souvlakia

noun

Greek Cooking.

1. a dish similar to shish kebab made with lamb.

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Etymology

Origin of souvlaki

1945–50; < Modern Greek soubláki small spit, derivative of soúbla spit, skewer ≪ Latin sūbula shoemaker's awl, equivalent to sū-, base of su ( ere ) to sew ¹ + -bula suffix of instruments

Explanation

Souvlaki is a Greek dish of grilled meat that's commonly sold by street vendors. While it's sometimes stuffed into a pita, souvlaki is usually served on skewers, hot off the grill. The skewer is important to souvlaki, including its etymology. Souvlaki is a diminutive of the Medieval Greek souvla, or "skewer" — in other words, it means "little skewer." This dish is cooked by skewering small pieces of marinated pork, lamb, beef, or chicken, and cooking them over hot coals. In Greece and Cyprus, souvlaki is often served with potatoes, vegetables, pita, and sauces on the side.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

souvlaki

That fall and into the spring, we soaked up everything that the L.A. bar scene has to offer: mai tais in Chinatown, followed by souvlaki at Greekman’s and shoestring fries at Lingua Franca.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2023

I also aspirated souvlaki with yogurt dressing into my lungs.

From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2022

"I would pay 10 euros for that souvlaki, it's delicious," said Dave Disis, from the U.S. state of Georgia.

From Reuters ● Jun. 1, 2022

To start the season, the menu will feature three Greek-themed skewers: chicken souvlaki, beef and lamb keftedes and halloumi with vegetables.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 26, 2018

But the walk made him hungry, and it was then he realized there weren’t any street vendors selling pretzels or hot dogs, roasted nuts or souvlaki.

From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer