Israel is one of the countries of the Middle East, its shores are washed by two seas - the Red and the Mediterranean. The subtropical climate creates excellent conditions for the development of tourism here: several million tourists from different countries visit Israel every year.
Someone comes here to see the shrines of three religions located in Israel, others are attracted by the amazing geographical diversity of the country: this is the snow-covered peak of Mount Hermon with its ski base, and the sultry sands of the Judean Desert … But some visit Israel only to to enjoy its national cuisine and an amazing variety of its dishes. So what exactly to try in Israel?
Food in Israel
Israeli cuisine combines the culinary traditions of the East and West. Recipes for some dishes were brought to the country of the Sephardim (Jewish people from the Middle East). Other culinary traditions are rooted in the history of the Ashkenazi (Jewish people who came from Eastern and Western Europe). Returning to their historical homeland, both of them enriched the Israeli national cuisine with modified dishes from Arab and European countries.
Judaism has had a huge impact on Israeli cooking. Many people in Israel follow the laws of kosher. Eating pork or shellfish is strictly prohibited by these laws. Meat dishes, according to the requirements of kosher, must be prepared separately from dairy dishes. They also need to be eaten separately.
The most common ingredients in Israel's national cuisine are vegetables, legumes, herbs, fruits, olive oil and fish.
The period of the economic crisis, which the inhabitants of this country had to endure, also had a certain influence on Israeli cuisine. It was then that the eggplant salad and pasta called ptitim were invented.
Winemaking is booming in Israel. Local wines have even won awards at prestigious international festivals. Quality beer is also produced in the country. In addition to these drinks, locals are very fond of coffee, mint tea and freshly squeezed juices, of which pomegranate is especially tasty.
Top 10 Israeli dishes
Hummus
Hummus
Puree made with chickpeas (chickpeas), garlic, paprika, lemon juice and sesame paste. Hummus can be seasoned to taste with salt, parsley, onions, cumin, zaatar, chili. Also, the following ingredients are often added to this dish:
- cocoa;
- roasted red peppers;
- Chees Feta;
- fried tomatoes;
- Pine nuts;
- fried onion;
- pumpkin puree.
Hummus is gaining more and more fans not only in Israel, but also far beyond its borders. Vegetarians are especially fond of this dish. Hummus can be recommended to people for whom gluten-containing foods are contraindicated.
Falafel
Falafel
Deep-fried chickpea balls. Sometimes beans are added to chickpeas. Spices are used as seasonings. This dish is served in pita bread with vegetable salad and sesame sauce. Falafel is so popular in Israel that it is almost one of the symbols of this country. The image of this dish is often placed on souvenir magnets next to the national flag.
Cholnt
Favorite Saturday dish of the people of Israel. Judaism forbids cooking on Saturday, so Israelis prepare Saturday meals on Friday. Meat, potatoes, chickpeas, beans, onions and spices in a pot are put in the oven, and on Saturday morning a hearty, hot and tasty dish is taken out of it. This is the cholent. Another name for this dish is hamin (this word is used in Sephardic cooking).
Shakshuka
Shakshuka
Israeli version of scrambled eggs. In addition to eggs, it also contains hot sauce. Its ingredients are tomatoes, onions, hot peppers. Sometimes cilantro, garlic, coriander are added to shakshuka. There are many variations of this dish, but it is most often served with bread and in a cast iron skillet.
Burekas
Puff pastry pies. They are baked in the oven. Cheese, potatoes, spinach, mushrooms are used as a filling. Sometimes burekas is served with yogurt or hard-boiled egg. The pies are perfect with tomato sauce or pickles - these products are also often served with burekas. Pies with potatoes are baked in the shape of rectangles, but if the burekas look like isosceles triangles or have a semicircular shape, it means that they are stuffed with cheese. Mushroom pies are in the shape of an equilateral triangle, and round burekas are with spinach or other fillings.
Saint Peter's fish
Saint Peter's fish
The name of this dish has biblical roots. In the mouth of one of the Galilean tilapias, which today have become a favorite dish of the Israelites, Saint Peter once found a coin to pay the temple tax. Today this fish is grilled and served with vegetables, potatoes and sauce.
Forshmak
Cold appetizer. Chopped meat or herring baked with potatoes. Onions, peppers and sour cream are also essential ingredients for forshmak. The herring dish is a classic of Jewish cuisine, and the meat is already a "variation on the theme".
Knafe
Knafe
If you love sweets, try knafe. Even if you are indifferent to sweets, try it anyway! Featuring Kadaif vermicelli and goat cheese, this treat will impress you! Sugar syrup, which is poured over the knafe, perfectly complements its taste. The treat is usually sprinkled with nuts - walnuts, almonds or pistachios. This dish is not recommended to be eaten dry, it is very sweet. Better order tea or just water for it.
Bamba
These are corn sticks. They are soaked in peanut butter. The locals love them very much. Almost no holiday, no party in Israel can do without this delicacy.
Khomentash
Khomentash
Poppy seed pies. Prepared from yeast dough. The filling of these pies is poppy, raisins and walnuts. The dish is not only hearty, but also very tasty. This is just one of the many sweets that the endlessly varied Israeli cuisine offers, and all of them are definitely worth trying for a tourist.
