Foods of Israel

 For those who have been to Israel, there are very few places around that world that have such diversity of food and such deliciousness in so many ways. Since the climate was especially hot in June and July, there was no doubt the girls, who are major ice cream lovers wanted ice cream/articim (popsicles)/ gelato any day they could have it. Even hours after we arrived, very jet-lagged we walked the tayelet (boardwalk) of Akko to Dr. Lick, an ice cream shop that has been in that location for at least a decade. While Dr. Lick was great there were two main ice cream contenders that won the show, Buzat Shefaram (established in 1939) and Golda in Tel Aviv. We had been to Buzat Shefaram on our last trip and loved the unique flavors that we had to go back again. The ice cream’s best flavors are those tied to the region: Halvah and Pistachio but the layered dessert of burma, pistachios and halvah ice cream is something that dreams are made. 

 

The next day we headed to Nazareth another great foodie town in Israel. Our first stop was Jaraiysi, a restaurant known for its is Manaqish. There were so many options to choose from, but we went with our usual favorites: cheese and onion. The picture may look like pizza, but the dough is a huge pita topped with a salty goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil and the onion manaqish is onions cooked with sumac and other spices, drizzled with olive oil atop a large pita.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had planned to get a  near the church, but were stuffed after Jaraiysi and decided that the only natural thing to do would be to get dessert. Of course no trip to Nazareth would be complete without visiting Mukhtar and Mahroum for baklawa and knafeh. 

 

Of course there was plenty of other desserts: kremschnitte, sabrinas and lots for ice cream, but one of M & O’s simple pleasures was drinking chocolate milk out of a bag. Yep, why drink a cup of chocolate milk when you can just bite off the corner of a bag and slowly drink chocolate milk. As a kid Baba used to have shoko in one hand and roll in the other, the quintessential Israeli childhood snack.

While Israel definitely has its share of fried foods and overly sweet sweets, the country is also abundant in the freshest fruits and vegetables. After a very HOT day walking the ruins of Caesarea, we were pleasantly surprised to find a “food truck” making fruit shakes from all the fruits your heart desires.

 

Of course, no trip to Israel would be complete without hummus, falafel and shawarma. The number of restaurants are endless, but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in Jerusalem where we feasted on hummus, chips and shawarma and then again in Majd el-Krum at Shawarma Hanny.