Food is a major element of culture which tells a lot about the ways of any set of people. Every Tunisian loves food, and I’m not saying they are food mongers, they are just crazy about good food. As much as they like their food, they do not like it as much as their guests. Every ceramic platter served contains mouth-watering, palate-satisfying delights you sure can’t have enough of.
Regular Tunisian food is made from cereals, vegetables, lamb, legumes, beef or chicken, and a myriad of herbs and spices. The truth is that their foods are a reflection of their rich history with influences from Italy, Arabia, Israel, Turkey, France, among others. One thing common to Tunisian dishes is that they are spicy, usually with a mix of peppers, ginger, garlic, and caraway seeds.
Without wasting much of your time, here is a list of our top 5 Tunisian meals you definitely want to try out.
Brik a l’ouef
Brik a l’ouef is one meal you will find in every Tunisian restaurant. It is made from egg yolk and a thin sheet of pastry. The sheet of pastry known as malsouka is filled with some egg yolk and then it is folded into a triangular shape before it is deep fried. To make it more interesting there is a filling of coriander, parsley, and several other ingredients like cheese and tuna. This meal is best served hot and with a sprinkling of lemon juice. To get the best of this meal you have to eat with your hands and ensure you keep the runny egg yolk from your chin while you do.
Couscous
This is probably the most popular Tunisian or North African dish as it is a common dish throughout North Africa. There are a-million-and-one ways of preparing this dish but the Tunisian way seems to knock them all off. The Tunisians serve it with a tomato-based sauce, with a mix of spicy and savory flavors. Sometimes almonds, dates, hazelnuts, and walnuts are added for that extra taste.
Tunisian Salad
This is the most common side dish in Tunisia and it is made from vegetables, finely cut onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, and radishes. Pepper, olive oil, lemon, dried mint, salt, etc. are used to make the meal more interesting. Some folks add olives and eggs, and some tuna to make the meal look more appealing.
Makroudh
This is one of the most popular calorie-rich Tunisian foods. The meal originated in Kairouan, it is made from a mix of semolina flour and some olive oil. The sheet of pastry is filled with a paste of date and then it is doused in sugar syrup.
Lablabi
This is meal is served in most casual eateries all around Tunisia. It is served in the evenings, especially in the winter. It is a mixture of lemon juice, chicken peas, salt, garlic, harissa, cumin, olive oil, etc. it can be topped with boiled eggs and tuna.
There you have it, visit a Tunisian restaurant today or any time you are in Tunisia try out one of these dishes.
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