Discover Israeli cuisine
25 July 2024
Israeli cuisine is famous for being varied just like its population. Indeed, many flavors are brought together in local specialties, but also in many traditional recipes. Both delicious and generous, the country’s gastronomy will delight you. To help you better understand local dishes, here is everything there is to discover about Israeli cuisine.
Where does it get its culinary influence?
Whether through street delicacies or more sophisticated cuisine, many flavors await you if you go to the discovery of Israeli cuisine. It is good to know that the originality of tastes comes from the cuisine of the Ashkenazim and Sephardim who arrived in the country. Over time, its gastronomy has undergone numerous influences: Jewish, Oriental, Arab, European and North African.
Moreover, this is what has made traditional cuisine richer. Over the course of migrations, some elements of foreign cultures and countries added something extra to the dishes even though they were already excellent. It is therefore normal to see some similarities between certain dishes from Israeli regions and those from Europe. If you are thinking of making a stay in the Middle East , don’t hesitate to stop off in Israel to try its many specialties.
What spices enhance his cuisine?
To better help you taste the gastronomy of Israel, you need to learn a little more about the components of the dishes. Israeli cuisine is blessed with a tantalizing aroma that is due to all the types of spices that are added during preparation. Some are more popular than others, including za’atar. It is a mixture of thyme, marjoram, sumac and sesame. Most of the time it is sprinkled on pita bread dipped in a little olive oil.
Aside from spices, you’ll also find other herbs and condiments on many plates. For example, there are salads which are widely consumed, such as the essential tabbouleh. There is also rosemary, parsley, thyme, oregano and coriander which are also widely used in many preparations. And in pastries, you will find sesame which is very common.
What are the best Israeli dishes to try?
There are around a hundred Israeli dishes. That said, you may not have time to try them all. In order to leave discovery of Israeli gastronomy, here are the few dishes that are good to order.
- Falafels: looks like an open sandwich-style pita bread, it is garnished with chickpea balls (falafels), raw vegetables and a tahini-based sauce (sesame paste).
- Shawarma or Chawarma: This is the traditional kebab which is made with a mixture of seasoned meats and which is also served in pita bread.
- Hummus: This chickpea puree with tahini is often flavored with olive oil and zaatar. It is often eaten with pita bread.
- The Labneh: it is a thick yogurt that accompanies vegetables or skewers. It can be used as a sauce when olive oil and zaatar are added.
- The Shakshuka: this dish originates from the Maghreb and traveled to Israel. It is very popular with both locals and passing travelers.
- The Sabih : it is also a sandwich with a sauce made from tahini and raw vegetables. But unlike the chickpea balls, you’ll see roasted eggplant.
And you, what do you think of the cuisine and local dishes in Israel?
