Eating in Israel
As a vegetarian, finding cuisines that are suitable to my diet are often hard to come by. Almost all international cuisines are centered on meat, so finding meals can certainly be an adventure. I’ve found my niche in Middle Eastern cuisine, which while also centered on meat, has an abundance of veggie-friendly side dishes that make eating in this country a walk in the park. Most Israeli meals follow the organization pattern of their neighbor countries: you start with a big helping of hummus, salad, and small finger foods like falafel or kebab and French fries, the universal food. Right as you feel like you’re filling up on all these delicious small dishes, they start brining out the “real” food. That’s where the meat becomes incorporated in the meal, as well as couscous or rice. Beyond the logistics of food, meals are a time to gather and share with family or community. This is exemplified in the customary Shabbat dinner, which takes place on Friday night. In Jerusalem, which is a more religious city, most stores and restaurants close down on Friday to observe the Jewish day of rest, which also encourages people to interact with their families at home. Our Dialogue group had our own Shabbat dinner last week, and the abundance of food lasted us days, which goes to show the centrality of food and meals in this culture.
Thus far, my meals in Israel have been a combination of eating out and cooking at home, which has made for a perfect balance in embedding myself in the culture. A great place for finding local foods – everything from falafel to dried fruit – is Machane Yehuda in downtown Jerusalem. Imagine an outdoor covered market with everything on display. Not only does it serve the material purpose of a market, but the smells and sights allow you to interact with locals as well. One of the most notable foods from this region is an Arab dessert called Kanafeh, a cheesy sweet pastry you can find in the Arab parts of Israel. Maybe I just have a sweet spot for desserts (pun intended) but the pastries are probably the best part of food in Israel. If you’re not convinced, just look at the pictures for proof!
