Journey through World Vegan Cuisines: Vegan Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Delights IV010

Hey there!

As part of our month exploring global cuisines, this week we’re spotlighting the vegan flavors of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Are your taste buds as excited as ours?

• One Big Thing: Mediterranean and Middle East Vegan Tour

• Recipe of the Week: Perfect Crispy Falafel

• Tip of the Week: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Vegan Must-Haves

• Extra Credit: How Faith Shaped Vegan Food Choices

Taste-Testing the Vegan Mediterranean & Middle East

Beyond Hummus: Did you know that some of your favorite vegan and plant-based dishes call this region home? Join us as we celebrate and rediscover these plant-based legends!

• GREECE: From Dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) to the comforting Fasolada (white bean soup), Greece serves vegan delights aplenty.

• ITALY: Italy isn’t just pasta and pizza; savor vegan risottos and artichoke delights like "Carciofi alla Romana."

• ISRAEL: While falafel stands are iconic, treasures like Sabich (eggplant sandwich) and the eggless Shakshuka are worth exploring.

• EGYPT: The power of the fava bean shines in dishes like Ful Medames and Ta'amiya, Egypt's unique take on falafel.

Dreaming of your next getaway? Make sure these vegan delights are on your culinary bucket list. Perfect for vegans, and a treat for all taste buds! 🌍🍲🌱

Falafel Delight: Dive into the Middle East with these crispy chickpea fritters, ideal for frying or baking.

Exploring Mediterranean and Middle Eastern vegan? Keep these essentials handy!

1. OLIVE OIL OBSESSION: Drizzle it, dip in it, or dress with it. Olive oil is the heart of many Mediterranean dishes, bringing out rich, robust flavors.

2. TAHINI TREATS: This creamy sesame paste is a key ingredient in dishes from Israel to Lebanon. Swirl it in hummus, drizzle over veggies, or blend into dressings.

3. BEAN BONANZA: Chickpeas, fava beans, and lentils dominate many Middle Eastern dishes. From falafel to ful medames, they're protein-packed vegan delights! 🌱🥖🥙

4. EMBRACE EGGPLANT: Popular across the region, eggplants can be roasted for baba ganoush, stuffed, or even used in flavorful stews.

Legacy on a Plate: The vegan delights of the Mediterranean and Middle East are much more than culinary choices—they’re echoes of age-old traditions.

Here’s a quick cultural dive:

• GREEK ‘NISTISIMO’: During Greek Orthodox fasting times, most animal-derived foods take a backseat. This results in vegan dishes, underscoring the plant-centric essence of Greek cuisine.

• EGYPT’S SACRED SUPPERS: Coptic Christians don't just favor plant-based food on a whim. Their many fasting seasons, covering much of the year, prominently feature vegan delights.

• RAMADAN’S VEGAN VENTURES: Think of the pre-dawn Ramadan meal, 'Suhoor'. It's often centered around grains and legumes. Dishes with lentils and chickpeas aren’t just tasty; they fuel the fasting day ahead.

Remember every move towards a plant-based journey benefits our planet, the animals and, crucially, our health. Let’s embrace the progress, not perfection. 🌱🌍❤️

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Until next Thursday!

Love,

Aashti