Middle Eastern Stories

Every PlateTales food history story tagged Middle Eastern, newest first.

Ritual FoodsMiddle EasternEuropean

Why We Eat Jelly Donuts on Hanukkah: Oil, Jam and a Union

The oil explains the frying. The jam came from German Carnival baking, and a labor union in 1920s Palestine may explain why the bakery doughnut won.

8 min read

Middle EasternStreet Food

Ottoman Street Food: What Istanbul Ate on the Run

Ottoman street food in Istanbul meant liver kebab, tripe soup, simit and boza, all tracked in price lists and court registers. Here is what the records and one famous traveler say.

6 min read

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