From stuffed vegetables to sweet dessert pastries, there are a number of Mediterranean dishes whose origins can’t quite be pin-pointed due to their being shared as traditional dishes across various Mediterranean countries. The Mediterranean peninsula is made up of 21 countries that share the same warm waters and beautiful weather of this region. As a direct result of this shared climate, it should come as no surprise that some of these countries also share similar cuisines. This is precisely why some of Egypt’s most well-known traditional dishes – such as messakaa (moussaka) and mahshi warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) – are actually also well-known traditional dishes in countries such as Greece and the general Levant region. Mediterranean cuisine actually has a long history and the similarities we find today come as a result of various geographic, economic and political factors that have taken place throughout the years. During the time of the Ottoman Empire (16th and 17th centuries) for example, plenty of goods, foods and spices were traded across the region, creating a mesh of cultures which has resulted in the various similarities we see across these Mediterranean countries today. …
Mesakaa or Moussaka? A Look at Shared Dishes Across the Mediterranean Region
February 15, 2020
