Turkish Street Food: Pickle Juice / Turşu Suyu . . . yes, you read that right.

Pickle juice is an amazing concoction sold by street vendors in Turkey. I wish I could find a recipe but sadly, I think you need to travel to Turkey to really experience this wonder.

Photos are of a pickle juice cart on
Buyukada (the Big Island), one of the Princess Islands off the coast in Istanbul. A day trip to one of the Princess Islands is a must during the summer, especially the horse-drawn carriage ride around the island. Intrepid travelers may opt for a bike rental instead.

Pickle juice tastes like sour, lemony pickles - you can opt for a glass or a plastic bag, tied at the top, accompanied by a straw. I always go for "bol acili" -- very hot -- yes, that's right, hot sauce in your pickle juice. On the right is a photo of the man who has been selling me pickle juice since the 1980s. He used to troll the beach I frequented in Ilica, Cesme when I was a kid. He's since moved to another neighborhood -- I wish I could recount the bizarre conversation I had with him about why he moved -- something about the city government and joining the European Union. I love this man because he was there throughout my entire childhood -- visits to his cart punctuated my every summer in Turkey. Pickle juice is best in heat of summer at the beach.