Dozens of colorful fresh spices enliven traditional dishes of the Arab world.
Spices and herbs are treasured as culinary ingredients, and as medicine, in every Middle Eastern country. While modern supermarkets and small grocery stores carry many of the popular ones, people in the know still search out traditional spice and herb shops, where they find exotic blends that may include ingredients like dried rosebuds, or fresh herbs like parsley and curry leaves.
According to the online news magazine DP (Day Press) News, the spices beloved by the Arab community sell especially well during the just-concluded month of Ramadan.
“Every year I notice an increase in the sales of spices during Ramadan. I think that people buy more food stuff in general during this month and the spices are part of it; people cook more,” a salesman in a Salwa (Kuwait) spice shop told DP News.
Day-long fasting is relieved by night-time feasting, and the aroma of spices like cumin, cinnamon, and the especially appreciated “Saudi Spice” mix help home cooks create mouth-watering traditional dishes. For desserts using the typical Arab rosewater flavoring, look at our Malabi pudding and Ma’amoul cookie recipes.
This year’s Ramadan month, and the joyful 3-day Eid al Fitr celebration that winds it up, are over. But the lingering aroma of the feast nights and days carries over to the rest of the year in the kitchen of every good cook.
Photo of spices, El-Babour spice shop, Nazareth, Israel, by Miriam Kresh
:: DP News
More traditionally-flavored dishes from the Arab world from Green Prophet:
Poussins Stuffed With Rice and Pine NutsCouscous and RoqaqAuthentic Egyptian Mulukhia and Other Delights
Miriam Kresh writes about Israeli food on www.israelikitchen.com
Author: Miriam Kresh
Miriam Kresh is an American ex-pat living in Israel. Her love of Middle Eastern food evolved from close friendships with enthusiastic Moroccan, Tunisian and Turkish home cooks. She owns too many cookbooks and is always planning the next meal. Miriam can be reached at miriam (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
