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

Averages prices for souvlaki have risen far faster than headline measures of inflation - hovering at a 28-year high around 10% in Greece read more - trotted out by national statistics agencies.

From Reuters ● Jun. 1, 2022

Close behind the treat is a souvlaki featuring mushrooms that have been sliced paper-thin, marinated, layered and pressed for a few days before they’re threaded on a skewer and seasoned with oregano.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 10, 2019

When they got home, the house was still dark, and Maya turned on lights as she made her way into the kitchen, then stashed her mom’s takeout chicken souvlaki in the refrigerator.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway