Che - vap - chee - chee

The 23^rd Ethnic Arts Festival food court will represent different cuisines from around the world to treat the public with gastronomic diversity. Greece, Philippines, Ireland, Indonesia and The Caribbean Islands are only some of the countries that the festival will host.

As expected Ćevapčići will return this year to delight festival-goers with Western Balkans cuisine. Ćevapčići (pronounced 'che-vap-chee-chee') is a dish of grilled minced meat found in the countries of the Former Yugoslavia. The word comes from the Arabic kebab with the Slavic diminutive -čići. The delicious little sausage-like meat is a close relative of Middle Eastern kofta, but with a distinctive Balkan flavor as their only spice is Hungarian paprika, consisting of small rolled patties of mixed ground meats that are heavily seasoned and grilled.

There are different versions of ćevapčići throughout Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Yugoslavia. Some use pork and lamb, others use pork, lamb and beef, and yet others omit the pork entirely. Originally, they were skewered and grilled over an open fire. Today, most cooks grill, broil or fry them. They are served with polenta, onions, and ajvar, (a sauce made from roasted red peppers), a flatbread and cottage cheese.

Don’t miss the opportunity to try an authentic cooked ćevapčići and come to the Ethnic Arts Festival next July 18^th and 19^th at Dawes Park in Evanston!