Trader Joe's Customers Can't Get Enough Of This Turkish Bread Hiding In The Freezer Aisle

From beef birria to mini baguettes, the Trader Joe's freezer aisle has its share of hidden gems. But the secret is out about Trader Joe's Simit Turkish Sesame Bread, a round, sesame seed-coated bread that resembles a bagel with a large hole. If you haven't heard of it, simit is an iconic international street food hailing from Turkey, and it's versatile enough to eat alongside a favorite beverage (often tea), as part of a full Turkish breakfast, as a lunch component, and so on. Texturally, simit is crisp on the outside and soft or chewy on the inside, creating a satisfying experience from start to finish. And consumers are loving Trader Joe's version.

Shoppers online say the Trader Joe's simit exceeded their expectations, with some comparing it favorably to traditional versions enjoyed in Turkey (others, naturally, disagree that it is better). As a testament to simit's versatility, Trader Joe's suggests a variety of ways to enjoy its product: with hummus, cultured butter, feta cheese, raspberry jam, etc. And although the grocery chain recommends baking it for four to five minutes in a preheated oven, TJ's customers on Reddit have had success cooking it in the air fryer and toaster oven. Interestingly, some people say it's not half bad simply thawed, without additional baking — particularly if you find yourself in need of a snack somewhere without access to an oven.

While many people report enjoying their Trader Joe's simit with a simple spread of cream cheese (or a similar creamy cheese, such as Brie), if you want a slightly more complex variation, fry an egg in the middle of it, then add your favorite toppings such as feta or chopped tomatoes. That may not be the most traditional way to enjoy simit, but it does sound like a tasty twist on the standard "egg in a basket." After all, simit are commonly eaten with savory foods like cheeses, sausages, and olives.

Simit has been a staple of Turkish cuisine for centuries, dating back to at least the 16th century; and while it seems to have royal origins, it soon became a favorite of the general populace as well. One Turkish expatriate recalls that, while simit is now typically sold from closed carts, simit vendors used to stack the pastries on trays and balance them on top of their heads. However you choose to eat it, it seems as though simit is often enjoyed with friends or other company — and conveniently, the Trader Joe's version comes with two packs containing two simit each, for a total of four. At just $3.50, the store's simit is a wonderfully shareable snack.