pogaçe

Pogaça, or poğaça in Turkish, is a soft, leavened pastry or bread found in Turkish and Balkan cuisines. It encompasses a family of baked goods made from an enriched yeast dough, typically shaped into rounds or crescents and often brushed with egg wash and sesame seeds. The preparation and terminology vary by region, but pogaça/poğaça is commonly eaten for breakfast or as a savory snack.

In Turkey, poğaça is generally made with a yeasted dough enriched with yogurt, milk, and oil, and sometimes eggs. Common fillings include cheese (peynirli poğaça), potatoes, olives, spinach, or minced meat, though plain versions are also popular. It is usually baked until pale golden and can be topped with sesame or nigella seeds.

In several Balkan countries, pogača refers to a round, soft loaf of bread rather than a stuffed pastry. It is baked on a baking sheet or in a pan and served warm as a staple bread, often accompanied by meals or used to scoop up fillings and dips. Variants may be plain or topped with sesame.

Both terms reflect a shared culinary heritage from the Ottoman influence in Southeast Europe. The names and forms vary locally, producing regional versions of pogaça/poğaça, with both savory and, less commonly, sweet preparations.