Wow! You are about to embark on your dream Moroccan holiday. You have received your itinerary from your Moroccan Tour Operator. You are visualizing yourself walking through the labyrinth streets of old Fez. You see yourself trekking the High Atlas Mountains or cycling Moroccan countryside. Many adventures are just waiting for your plane to land. Maybe, there just might be one Moroccan adventure that you haven’t thought too much about. Make no mistake, it is just as great as any of the other adventure, could be, it is just a bit better. You are about to start a journey into the cuisine of Morocco.
Morocco has a long history of influxes of peoples from other nations. Carthaginians, Phoenicians, and Romans all came and brought their particular tastes. Berbers showed up and as did the Arabs, bringing their culinary favorites. You find African influence in southern Moroccan food while Andalusian flavors are found in the north. You might say that Moroccan cuisine is blend of Arab, Berber, Moorish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, African and Jewish cooking.
An age old axiom says that some people eat to live and others live to eat. Maybe Moroccans fall under the latter. They know how to eat and enjoy it what they are eating. Moroccan cuisine is as wonderful as it is varied. And, Moroccans believe in abundance. Time seems to unimportant to the meal.
Moroccan cooking is not like Middle Eastern foods. You will find that the variations are astounding. Just imagine what you will find on your adventure into the culinary delights of Morocco. Meats cooked with fruits that bring to mind ancient Persia. Lamb dishes will take you to other Mediterranean countries. Remember, caravans coming from many places passed through Morocco and brought with them their favorite dishes. After you have explored the medinas and saw for yourself, the many piles of spices and enjoyed aromas lifting from saffron, cumin, or cinnamon, you will have the privilege of tasting dishes combining them with other wonder things. Herbs like mint, roses, or basil play a role in Moroccan taste. Flavors have just been touched upon here. Many more will tempt your palate. Add to that pungency of onions and olive oil intermingling with sandalwood or garlic. Take all these wonderful things and put with fresh fruits and nuts that are grown in Morocco.
You will see, while traveling around the country on your Moroccan holiday, olives and mint being grown in Meknes and oranges and lemons grown near Fez. Go trekking in the mountains and find Berber villages along with fields of barley, orchards of almonds, or apricots. Any where you travel you will find exciting foods used with traditional couscous. Wherever you are, will flavor your tangine. Near the ocean, for example, a tagine will be fish cooked with spices, dried fruits and nuts. This classic Moroccan Stew can be made of any combination of meats, vegetables, legumes and fruits. Lamb or goat meat is the preferred meat. Chicken and pigeon adds to the variety you will encounter. Meat consumption is low compared to the west and it added to enhance the taste of the dish. Eggs are, also, an adventure to eat in Morocco. Eggs are not cooked in the manner most western countries use but rather as garnishes to tangines. Eggs are commonly eaten with lemon juice or boiled and served with saffron and salt. Your food adventure in Morocco will include many, many things among which are pomegranates, almonds, dates, walnuts, chestnuts, honey, barley, cherries and melon. And argan tree oil hasn’t even been touched upon.
Actually sitting down to eat in Morocco can be just as much as an adventure as the food. Don’t be surprised to find that one dinner consists of more than fifty dishes. You always wanted to attend a meal that was fit for kings and now you have your chance. Formal meals for important in Morocco are very intense. The host will supervise rather than eat with the guests. Or his sons will oversee the event. Sometimes, women will not be present and will eat separately. Guests are seated around a low beautifully inlaid table. Chairs are not used, rather mattresses or pillows. After the host claps his hands, the meal begins and ends after everyone is completely satiated. Each guest will have perfumed water poured over their finger prior to the meal starting and after everyone is finished eating. Your Moroccan meal will be finished by sipping wonderful sweetened mint tea.
Your Moroccan tour guide will have all the arrangements made for your dream Moroccan vacation. There’s all sorts of exotic but real experiences awaiting your palate.
by Carole Morris
