1) Za’atar Manakeesh
The only way to wake up in Palestine is with one of these Za’atar Manakeesh. A popular Palestinian breakfast consisting of flattened dough, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and ground dried za’atar. Cooked quickly on a high heat and eaten just as fast. This delicious snack is usually served with a glass of mint tea and goat cheese on the side.
2) Warak Dawali
A plate that has been part of the Palestinian cuisine for centuries. The vine leaves (Warak Dawali or Warak Inab in Arabic) are stuffed with spiced chopped up lamb meat and rice. Typically cooked with stuffed courgettes, as well as some beef shanks for extra grease and it’s ready for lunch!
3) Kebab and Shish Taouk
The deliciously divine Palestinian barbeque is every family’s lunch on summer! It consists of various types of grilled meat including spiced chicken Shish taouk (chicken breasts) and tender meat kebab on skewers. The grilled meat is almost always served with pita bread, hummus, grilled vegetables and a wide range of refreshing salads that go beyond words.
4) Falafel
Fried veggie patties created with a combination of chickpeas, vegetables and spices. Mostly served with hummus, salted slices of tomatoes and cucumbers, labneh, and Tabolueh which is the ultimate traditional salad.
5) Arabic Coffee
Arabic coffee is coffee beans mixed with many spices, especially crushed cardamom. Prepared by brewing it on a stovetop in a special pot, and served in a petite cup called finjaan.
6) Kanafah and Baklava
Kanafah, also spelled kunafeh, is a Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in delicious syrup. It’s the perfect mixture of sweet and salty that is famous everywhere in Palestine, but especially in Nablus.
And Baklava is a mouth-watering sweet dessert pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts that are held together with sugar-based syrup. These two kinds of desserts are usually sold in the same shop.
7) Saint Peter’s Fish
Pilgrims will most likely get to taste the tastiest Saint Peter’s fish in Palestine! Also known as Tilapia fish, Saint Peter’s fish were one of the main kinds of fish that were caught from the Sea of Galilee in Biblical times. The name refers to the story in the Gospel of Matthew where the apostle Peter catches a fish carrying a coin in its mouth. Depending on your preference, the fish gets fried or grilled, and then it’s usually served with some French fries and few slices of lemon on the side for extra deliciousness!
8) Pomegranates
While those in northern climates may find it harder to locate a fresh pomegranate, do not pass on the opportunity to sample a Holy Land pomegranate while on pilgrimage, as a fruit, drink, main course or dessert. You won’t be disappointed!
Join one of our 2018/2019 upcoming pilgrimages not only to discover what the Holy Land has to offer your tastebuds, but also to be one of the most blessed people who get to walk on the footsteps of Jesus Christ!
