A Cypriot version of fried meat balls.
Name - Origin
Kεφτές.
It is a small piece of minced meat mixed with other ingredients (eggs, bread, parsley, etc.) and seasonings, shaped in a spherical or flattened form, which is usually fried (Babiniotis 2005, entry κεφτές and κιοφτές,ο, 887).
ETYM. < turk. köfte < pers. kōfta (Babiniotis 2005, entry κεφτές and (folk) kιοφτές,o, 887) < Turkish köfte and Arabic kefta < ancient greek κοφτός (koftós) (Petrou-Poeitou 2013, entry Κεφτές,κιοφτές, 58)
pl. keftédes (Babiniotis 2005, entry κεφτές and ( folk) κιοφτές,ο, 887)
Additional information and bibliography
Babiniotis G. (2005), Dictionary of Modern Greek Language. With comments on the correct use of words. Interpretative, Orthographic, Etymological, Synonyms, Main Names, Scientific Terms, Acronyms, Centre for Lexicology, Athens, Greece.
Petrou-Poeitou E. (2013), Από πού κρατάει η σκούφια τους. Λέξεις και ιστορίες από τον κόσμο της γεύσης, Epiphaniou Publications, Nicosia.
Tonia Ioakim, Argyro Xenophontos