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The 2,000-year-old city of Nablus, which is located in the northern West Bank and is a lush, green agricultural region that produces some of the best food in the region, is regarded as the region’s capital. Especially during the Ottoman era, Nablus’ location on the old trade route between Jaffa or Jerusalem and Damascus gave rise to a thriving gastronomic culture. Nablus is the place to go if you’re seeking for a range of traditional, regionally grown Palestinian meals and vegetables.
Markets
The fruit and vegetable market in Nablus, which is situated close to the city’s major circle called ad-dawar, is always brimming with a staggering array of seasonal, fresh food. The markets in Nablus are a foodie’s wildest dream, with everything from mountains of strawberries and grapes to cabbages or watermelons the size of a small kid.
Since ancient times, a significant olive-growing zone has existed in the hills and communities around Nablus. After the busy months of October and November, when olives are harvested, some are pickled in vinegar and make excellent mezze appetizers, but the great majority are turned into olive oil. The basis of Palestinian cooking is delectable, local olive oil, which is drizzled over everything or eaten on its own as a morning staple with bread and za’atar.
Nabulsi cheese
Nabulsi cheese, a distant relative of halloumi, is manufactured from sheep’s milk and is likewise brine-preserved. When melted or grilled, it creates a salty, stringy, and delightful addition to salads, sandwiches, or just by itself with olives, figs, and other delectable mezze additions.
Kunafeh
Kunafeh is maybe the most well-known and adored meal to come out of Nablus, or even all of Palestine. What’s not to love about this dish made with an unsalted, mild form of nabulsi cheese, sandwiched between two layers of crispy pastry fried in butter and covered in sugar syrup? The al-Aqsa bakery in the Old City is a kunafeh institution that is well-known across Palestine. They prepare their kunafeh pastry in their traditional open factory in front of onlookers in large circular trays.
Sweets
In addition to kunafeh, Nablus is renowned for making a wide variety of other sweet sweets, such as doughy Zeinab’s fingers, Awasem, and flaky baklawa covered in almonds and syrup. Find a local bakery, then fill your bellies and eyes with the variety of baked products and sweet treats they have to offer. The Old City of Nablus may also have historic candy manufacturers, which provides another incentive to visit.