Many travelers find that one of the most enjoyable experiences to take part in when in a foreign country is to taste some of their iconic and most popular national dishes. Food brings people together, nourishes them, and provides comfort. If one’s travels lead them into Palestine, here are three popular dishes that a must-try!

Find Excellent Falafel in Palestine

Falafel is made of chickpeas and is a dish packed with proteins. Although it’s considered to be one of Israel’s popular national dishes, it’s theorized that it might have actually originated in Egypt, Palestine, or Lebanon. In the 1950s, falafel started being sold as fast food in the street, wrapped in paper.

Chickpeas are ground up along with parsley, onions, cumin, and coriander. The mixture is then formed into small balls and deep-fried. Falafel is commonly served in pita bread and paired with pickled vegetables, hummus, garlic-infused yogurt, and tahini dip.

Hummus – a Popular Spread

One of the earliest mentions of hummus was in 13th century Egypt, however, the exact origins of this dish remain unknown. It’s a popular and nutritious spread that’s commonly added to pita flatbread or used as a dip for fresh vegetables.

Hummus is made from ground-up chickpeas combined with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s served topped with a drizzle of olive oil and sometimes flavored with paprika, cumin, or fresh herbs.

Maqluba – the Upside-Down Dish

Considered the national dish of Palestine, Maqluba can also be found in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. This dish is made in one pot by layering different ingredients and boiling them until no liquid is left. The dish is then turned over to serve and garnished with chopped parsley or pine nuts.

There are several varieties of this dish. It can be made with lamb or chicken, and it can also be without meat. It always contains rice and different vegetables including eggplant, carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cauliflower, and others. It’s commonly served with yogurt and olives on the side and a salad of cucumber and tomato.

Eating fruit is very healthy, which is why cooks and chefs like Ina Garten work their magic to turn a regular fruit salad into an irresistible treat. In one of the episodes of Barefoot Contessa Eat Like a Pro, Garten reveals that her secret to a scrumptious fruit salad lies in Limoncello. Anyone who enjoys tipsy desserts will surely love to add this tip to their cooking bag of tricks.

Why Ina Garten Recommends Limoncello

Garten said in the 2018 episode of her show that, when she needs a quick dessert that’s sure to impress, she often finds the answer in her liquor cabinet. There are many types of liquors that pair incredibly well with different types of desserts, including the creamy and chocolatey Baileys, flavourful Rum, and, in this case, Limoncello. This Italian lemon liqueur made with lemon zest, spirit, and simple syrup adds both sweetness and freshness to a fruit salad. Garten also uses this amazing liqueur for other desserts, such as her famous Limoncello cheesecake squares.

A Quick Dessert Solution

Ina Garten’s fruit salad calls for sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and a sliced banana. The berries are mixed with a bit of sugar and Limoncello and left to sit for a bit before the banana is gently folded in. The salad is then topped with a mixture of Greek yogurt combined with a spoonful of honey, a dash of lemon curd, and a sprinkling of pure vanilla extract. Topped with a fresh mint sprig for flavor and aesthetics, the quick dessert is ready to serve within minutes!

Enjoy Whatever the Season Brings

Although Garten’s recipe calls for specific berries, fans who loved the dessert idea made it their own by using whatever fruit was in season at the time. The results are still amazing and will surely elevate any get-together that features the Limoncello-infused fruit salad.