Snack (In the Middle East section)
Nuts
editA staple of snacks in the Middle East is varieties of nuts[1]. Among the many varieties available within the region, the most popular are almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and pistachios[2]. According to archeological evidence, nuts have been part of the Middle Eastern diet for centuries with ancient civilizations taking advantage of them for their health benefits[3]. The health benefits of nuts comes from them being good sources of protein, healthy fats, fibers, vitamins and minerals[4]. Nuts have now become a regular snack with a 119 billion dollar market as of 2022 that is projected to continue growing into 2023[5]. Nuts can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as by roasting them with spices and lemon juice or incorporating them into food and deserts such as baklava, knafeh, and kibbeh[6][7][8].
Spreads and dips
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Spreads and dips are eaten with pita bread. The most popular dip in the middle east is hummus[9]. Hummus is a blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic usually served with olive oil and paprika on top[10]. Hummus's origins can be traced back to a Syrian cookbook from the 13th century[11]. Other dips are also popularly served such as mouhammara and baba ganoush[9]. Mouhammara is a walnut, tahini, and roasted red pepper dip served with olive oil on top originating from the Syrian city of Aleppo[12]. Baba ganoush is a spread made from roasted eggplants, olive oil, and other vegetables[13]. The origins of baba ganoush are not clear with many conflicting pieces of evidence pointing to multiple countries of origin[14]. A sweet dip is Ashta, a cream made from milk, rose or orange blossom water, and ghee, which is usually accompanied with honey[15].
Street Food
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Many popular snacks in the Middle East are obtained from street vendors due to low cost and convenience of eating on the go[16]. Many of these snacks consist of a protein with bread[16]. Falafel consists of many little fried balls of ground chickpeas or fava beans with herbs, spices served in pita bread with tahini sauce and a choice of vegetables[17]. Falafel is believed to originate from Egypt around 1000 years ago by Egyptian Copts[18]. Shawarma is served in a similar fashion to falafel, pita bread with sauce and vegetables, but instead prepared by slowly cooking layers of meat on a spit before thinly slicing it[19].
- ^ "Middle East and Africa Nuts Market Size, Growth Rate & Analysis to 2030". www.databridgemarketresearch.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Casas-Agustench, Patricia; Salas-Huetos, Albert; Salas-Salvadó, Jordi (December 2011). "Mediterranean nuts: origins, ancient medicinal benefits and symbolism". Public Health Nutrition. 14 (12A): 2296–2301. doi:10.1017/S1368980011002540. ISSN 1475-2727. PMID 22166187. S2CID 36384880.
- ^ Casas-Agustench, Patricia; Salas-Huetos, Albert; Salas-Salvadó, Jordi (December 2011). "Mediterranean nuts: origins, ancient medicinal benefits and symbolism". Public Health Nutrition. 14 (12A): 2296–2301. doi:10.1017/S1368980011002540. ISSN 1475-2727. PMID 22166187. S2CID 36384880.
- ^ Services, Department of Health & Human. "Nuts and seeds". www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ ltd, Market Data Forecast. "MEA Nuts and Seeds Market | 2022 to 2027 | UAE, Israel, KSA, South Africa, Egypt". Market Data Forecast. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Bergum, Vidar (2020-12-11). "Middle Eastern spiced nuts". A kitchen in Istanbul. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Kravchuk, Natasha (2014-12-21). "Baklava Recipe, Honey Baklava, How to Make Best Baklava". NatashasKitchen.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Mueller, Elizabeth (Beth) (2018-10-05). "Knafeh". Pear Tree Kitchen. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ a b "Middle Eastern dips and spreads to bump hummus off your summer menu". Chicago Tribune. 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Karadsheh, Suzy (2020-04-20). "BEST Classic Hummus Recipe you'll find!". The Mediterranean Dish. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Shaheen, Kareem (2023-03-24). "The True Origins of Hummus". New Lines Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Karadsheh, Suzy (2020-05-29). "Muhammara Recipe (Roasted Red Pepper Dip)". The Mediterranean Dish. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Kate (2017-10-17). "Epic Baba Ganoush". Cookie and Kate. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Lamoureux, Aimee (2023-01-13). "The Literal Meaning Of 'Baba Ganoush' Is Hilarious". The Daily Meal. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ Alphafoodie, Samira @ (2021-10-25). "Easy Kashta/Ashta (Lebanese Clotted Cream)". Alphafoodie. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
- ^ a b Bremner, Jade (2017-07-12). "20 top Middle Eastern foods: Which is the best?". CNN. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ Karadsheh, Suzy (2020-02-06). "Easy Authentic Falafel Recipe: Step-by-Step". The Mediterranean Dish. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ admin (2021-12-08). "The History of Falafel". Export IL. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
- ^ Nagi (2022-02-06). "Chicken Shawarma (Middle Eastern)". RecipeTin Eats. Retrieved 2023-10-09.