Palestinian cuisine is so exquisitely diverse and contains best-in-class ingredients that suit people from all socio-economic backgrounds. In Palestine, communal eating seems to be the best option, and the variety of culinary options are there to support our claim. Here, eating is best done with friends and family and is generally healthful.
Fresh plants like mint, parsley, and coriander, as well as spices like sumac and black pepper, are frequently used in Palestinian food, along with ample amounts of garlic, onion, and olive oil. Hors d’oeuvres are taken very seriously in Palestine; in addition to being typically provided with fresh breads, mezza frequently includes a large amount of seasonal green verdant veggies.
For many years, the Palestinians were renowned for their distinctiveness and ingenuity when it came to cooking particular dishes that were inspired by the blockade and the lack of food. The terrible living conditions endured by the Palestinians inspired Palestinian housewives to create exquisite recipes using ingredients found in their kitchens. Despite their simplicity, these meals have gained a lot of notoriety both in Palestine and outside. These are a some of the well-known dishes:
Al-Musakhan
A traditional Palestinian meal that includes taboon bread and poultry baked with scallions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts. Musakhan, which has its roots in the region of Gaza ,Tulkarm and Jenin, is frequently referred to as the national cuisine of Palestine. Jordanians, Israeli Arabs, and Palestinians are especially fond of the delicacy. Israeli Arabs and Israeli Druze in Galilee, particularly in the area around Iksal and Sandala, as well as in the Triangle, consume it as food in Palestine. Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria all serve the meal as well.
On April 20, 2010, the largest ever dish of “Musakhan” was prepared in Ramallah, Palestine and was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Ingredients
1 medium size jar of grape leaves
1 cup of rice
¼ of boiling water
1 grated onion
1 bunch chopped green onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 table dill
1 tablespoon of dry mint
½ cup oil
¼ cup chopped parsley
Recipe
Wash the grape leaves with water and set aside. And soak the rice in boiling water until it absorbs the liquid, add onions seasonings and ¼ cup of oil and stir well.
Take a grape leaf and place 1 teaspoon of the mixture in the center. And now wrap well.
Place the leaves in a sauce pan and the pour the remaining ¼ cup of oil and 1 1/2 cups of water over them. Bring and boil then cover.
Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Then your ready to serve.
MAQLOUBEH
Is the original dish made in Palestine. Its unusual form results from being turned upside down! Although it is undoubtedly about nourishment, maqloubeh centers on culture, occasion, and nostalgia.
Many Palestinian exiles, both inside and outside of Palestine, are very sentimental about the distinct atmosphere and feeling that maqloubeh offers. As a result, one can see the intense emotions that a Palestinian person is experiencing as they turn the maqloubeh pot upside down. In light of this, Palestinian families frequently assemble over maqloubeh on Fridays (the Holy day in Islam).
Maqloubeh holds a special place in Palestinian cuisine because of how it is made and the reasonably priced components. The primary components are chicken, rice, and fried veggies (mainly cauliflower and eggplant).
.
Maftoul
A typical couscous meal is maftoul. The Palestinian couscous is, however, a little bit larger and darker than the Moroccan kind.
Maftoul has the excellent feature of not requiring specific ingredients. As a result, there are several variants based on the veggies you have in your refrigerator. The couscous is the sole fundamental component in maftoul.
Couscous is the main component of a classic Palestinian maftoul; it should be cooked and seasoned with dried dill and green paper. You may make the soup with pumpkin, onions, hummus, and tomatoes. And, of course, the chicken soup should be used to soak up all of the aforementioned elements.
Fatayer
A traditional savory pie from Palestinian cuisine known as fteeris a beef pie that can also be filled with cheese, such as Feta or Akkawi, or greens. It is consumed in Palestine and is a staple of Levantine food.
These delicious stuffed pastries, which are common in many variations throughout Palestine, have a flavorful spiced center and a flaky dough made of yeast. Fatayer can be eaten as a side dish or as a main course. They are particularly well-liked when presented with warm mint tea at breakfast. While the following formula makes 24 fatayer, each filling only makes enough for 12 pastries, making it easy to please a variety of tastes by mixing and matching.