Page 11 - Discover Israel Magazine - Philippines Edition 2019
P. 11
Levantine spread blended from cooked and Tahini & Halva to creative inventions with ginger, cardamom
mashed chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon and rose oil.
juice, garlic and salt, also has Egyptian roots. A trip to Israel is incomplete without the
The earliest ‘hummus like’ recipes are said irresistible tastes of tahini and halva. Tahini, Popular treats among Israelis, found in almost
to have first appeared in 13th century Cairo an ancient spread that has been around all supermarkets, include Bamba, peanut-
cookbooks, although trade between Greeks for 7000 years and consumed globally, is butter flavored puffed maize bites which
and Egyptians have led many to argue its made from sesame seeds, which, when account for over 25 percent of the country’s
origins lie elsewhere. Whats more, the word ground correctly, produce a deliciously snack market. There’s also Bissli, a crunchy
‘hummus’ comes from the Arab word for creamy side dish, dip or topping. Halva is wheat snack produced in flavors of grill,
‘chickpea’, leading others to suggest it has a crumbly confection with origins spanning onion, barbeque, pizza, falafel and Mexican,
Arabic origins. Regardless of its humble the Middle East, Central Asia and even as far shaped as squares, twists, tubes and hoops.
beginnings, hummus is a much-adored as India and North Africa, made from one of And if you’re lucky enough to find it, Krembo!
spread in Israel, often served as part of a more ingredients including semolina, nut or The marshmallow dome coated in chocolate,
meze or as a main dish, sometimes creatively seed butters. In Israel, it is more commonly similar to the Scottish tea cake and Danish
garnished with pine nuts, hard boiled eggs, produced from sesame seeds, infused with flødebolle, flies off the shelves during winter.
paprika and sumac. Dig in to your hummus sugar syrup and egg whites. Stocked fresh Sold only from October to February, demand
the Israeli way – that is using your pita bread throughout the country’s local markets, huge for Krembo increases year upon year – so
(a round flat bread) in place of a spoon! slabs of halva are available in all variety of grab it if you can!
flavors, from pistachio and chocolate marble,
D I S C O V E R I S R A E L 11
