Morocco is known for fez caps and espionage, but few people realize that it has some of the tastiest food on earth. The mixture of Arab, Mediterranean, and European tastes makes Morocco a hotspot for delicious international cuisine. It may even warrant a trip…but whether you ever go to Morocco or not, here are a few of the top Moroccan foods that you should be aware of, and should try to taste asap!
For starters, Moroccan food is generally incredibly healthy. With a wide array of Mediterranean and tropical fruits and vegetables, olive oil, and leaner meats such as chicken, fish, and lamb, you really can’t go wrong with anything. Salads are plentiful, and are covered with tomatoes and peppers. Here are a few main dishes to look out for:
Couscous is a type of balled and steamed semolina that comes out somewhat rice-like and is served with sautéed vegetables and meat, or can go great with raw tomatoes and cucumbers. In Morocco, this dish can be stewed in a broth with other things, sprinkled separately on top of stew, or blended with almonds, cinnamon, and sugar to make a delectable dessert.
Kofta is basically the Moroccan version of meatballs and is typically served as a main dish. Usually beef or lamb, these meatballs are saturated with spices and onions and served in a spicy sauce along with vegetables and bread. Moroccan flatbread, or khobz, is a Mediterranean delight and goes great with hummus or sauces.
A related meat dish is merguez. This spicy lamb sausage has become a hit, not only in Morocco and North Africa, but even in Europe and especially France. Merguez can be grilled, dried, or served with couscous, and can even be cooked in a tajine to add flavor to a stew.
The tajine (or, tagine) is perhaps the most characteristic Moroccan culinary spectacle. These cone-shaped, glazed, clay pots are used to cook a meat and vegetable stew in an aromatic sauce. The glory of the tajine is the way that it collects most of the condensation that would normally escape during cooking. This, along with the rich blend of spices and herbs in the tajine, makes for succulent and tender meat and vegetables that smell like heaven. Click here for some great tajine recipes!
Moroccans love their drinks as well. While alcoholic drinks are generally not consumed in Islamic nations, they do coffee and tea exceedingly well. Their coffee is typically made Turkish-style, with extremely finely ground beans being cooked in a metal pitcher. Turkish makes for strong and flavorful coffee! When mixed with cream and spices, Moroccans call their coffee “half and half”. This method of brewing is ideal for desert! Green tea is another delicacy in Morocco. They make their tea with mint and they love it hot! Moroccan mint tea can be acquired at any meal and from anywhere in the country.
So whether you ever go to Morocco or not, check out these foods at your local Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or explicitly Moroccan restaurant; or check your local grocery store for ways to make it yourself!
Author Bio: Ethan Steadman writes for Morocco Tours .org, an outstanding website for any and all prospective visitors to North Africa!
1 comments:
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