Konya Çullama

Konya çullama is one of the traditional dishes of Konya’s culinary culture. It is prepared by coating meatballs made from lamb mince and rice with egg and flour, then frying them in butter. The ingredients used in its preparation and the production method are closely associated with local geographical conditions and traditional techniques. Historically, Konya çullama has been regarded as one of the important dishes of Konya cuisine and possesses a geographical indication.

Main components for four servings of Konya çullama:

• Meatball mixture: 500 g finely ground lamb mince, 200 g rice, 140 g onion, 10 g salt, 5 g black pepper
• Boiling water: 1 l water, 10 g salt
• Coating: 11 g flour, 4 eggs
• Frying: 100 g butter

Preparation process: The rice is partially boiled and the onion is finely chopped. The mince, rice, onion, salt, and black pepper are thoroughly mixed together. The mixture is shaped into 4 cm diameter balls by hand and boiled in salted boiling water for 10 minutes. The boiled meatballs are then coated in the flour and egg mixture and fried in butter. The dish is typically served with onion and parsley salad.

All stages of Konya çullama production are carried out within the boundaries of Konya Province. This is essential to preserve the dish’s geographical origin and authenticity.

Production and usage monitoring is conducted by a four-member oversight body coordinated by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, comprising experts from the Konya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, the Konya Gastronomy and Tourism Association, the Faculty of Tourism at Necmettin Erbakan University, and the Konya Metropolitan Municipality. Monitoring is carried out at least once a year, and also whenever a complaint is filed or deemed necessary. During inspections, the suitability of ingredients, compliance with the production method, and the correct use of the geographical indication are verified. The oversight body may obtain expert support from public or private institutions; the applicant responsible for registration manages the legal procedures for protecting the rights.