Israel is an amazing country, where many cultures have been reflected, which are organically intertwined. There is no exception in this regard, and the cuisine of Israel, where there are characteristic features of both the West and the East. This is due to the rather young history of this country, thanks to which the Israelis adopted the traditions of different countries and supplemented them with their national cuisine.
National cuisine in Israel
Tourists, who decided to familiarize themselves with the customs and peculiarities of this country, are primarily interested in the national cuisine of Israel. It is conditionally subdivided into such varieties:
- Sephardic - for her peculiar culinary traditions of Jews living in the countries of the Middle East. This meal in Israel is characterized by the addition of numerous spicy spices and fragrant herbs.
- Ashkenazka - reflects the traditions of Jews from Eastern and Western Europe, the dishes are characterized by taste characteristics, more familiar to Europeans.
Food in Israel is prepared in strict accordance with the religious norms of kashrut, it is called "kosher", which means "authorized". This is expressed in compliance with such rules:
- strict ban on the use of dishes containing pork, rabbit, shellfish, lobster, mussels, culinary dishes containing blood (for example, blood sausage);
- preparation and use of dairy products separately from meat products;
- in Israel, according to religious laws, it is forbidden to cook on Saturday, so this dish is served on Friday cooked meals, which languish on low heat until the next day.
Street Food in Israel
Walking through the city streets of Israel, travelers are given the opportunity to taste such street dishes that are sold on numerous counters:
- Hummus is an appetizer for the preparation of which mashed potatoes (chick peas), garlic, onions, olive oil, lemon juice and all kinds of spices are used. In some cases, sauce is added to the hummus, having a pasty consistency, produced from sesame seeds. Although hummus is served in cafes and restaurants, it can be found everywhere on the streets. The street food of Israel is represented, among other things, by such a dish of ka pa (bread of round form), inside of which is added hummus.
- Falafel is a ground hummus, from which the balls are formed, and then they are fried in deep fry. Falafel also wrapped in pita and complemented with thyme sauce. As a side dish, lettuce leaves are served.
- Burekas are made from puff pastry or fresh pastry and filled with spinach, cheese, and potato fillings.
- Shashlik Al ha-esh - one of the most popular dishes, is cooked on the grill.
- Shawarma or shaverma - is prepared from meat of lamb, chicken or turkey, pieces are wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tequine sauce, hummus.
What to try in Israel from food?
Travelers who decided to explore the culinary characteristics of this country often wonder: what to try in Israel from food? In local cafes and restaurants you can taste such national dishes:
- Cholt or hamin is a dish that is prepared on the eve of Friday and served for breakfast on Saturday. It is a roast, which includes meat, onions, potatoes, beans, chickpeas and many spices.
- Jahnoon is another Saturday dish, it is a thinly rolled out layer of dough, which is abundantly smeared with margarine and baked for about 12 hours. Jahnun is accepted to eat with grated tomatoes.
- Shakshuka is a local fried egg, abundantly flavored with a spicy sauce of tomatoes, bell pepper and onions. It is served on a large cast-iron frying pan with bread.
- Lovers of seafood will certainly have to taste Galilee tilapia baked on the grill. It is called "St. Peter's Fish", this name is associated with a religious legend, according to which Peter caught this fish and found in her mouth a coin used to pay tax for the temple.
- The dish "meurav ierushalmi" - roast, cooked from four kinds of chicken meat: hearts, breasts, liver, navel.
- Chilled borsch , which is a popular dish in the heat. Add the green onions, cucumbers, eggs, dried fruits, season with sour cream.
- Beef broth with spices and whole onion. A special feature of the dish is that instead of salt, sugar is placed in it.
Kitchen of Israel - desserts
To the lovers of sweets who visited Israel, the cuisine (desserts) offers a choice of different variations of dishes, among which are the following:
- knafe - dessert from Kadaif vermicelli and goat cheese, sprinkled with sugar syrup, with sprinkling of almonds, walnuts or pistachios;
- bamba - corn sticks with impregnation from peanut butter. This is a traditional festive dessert;
- Donut donuts ;
- baklava ;
- pancakes with all kinds of sweet fillings ;
- homentash - pies containing poppy filling;
- fruit in sugar .
Beverages of Israel
Residents of Israel prefer to drink the following drinks:
- coffee , which is prepared in all possible ways: in Turkish, espresso, latte, with ice, with cardamom;
- mint tea , especially refreshing on hot days;
- juices fresh, pomegranate juice is very popular;
- beer - tourists are offered a choice of local brands Goldstar (dark) and Maccabee (light);
- wine brands Yarden, Gamla, Golan and Carmel;
- arak - aniseed vodka, which has a strength of 50 degrees, it is drunk with ice in a diluted form.