As you might have guessed, Mediterranean cuisine refers to dishes prepared by the countries and cultures located along the Mediterranean Sea, a massive body of water that connects Asia, Europe, and Africa. It is not a shock that the earliest civilizations in the world bordered the great sea, as the temperate climate and rich soil in the area led to this. The Mediterranean has always been a fertile land for agriculture, which has resulted in a culinary tradition that includes an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
The Mediterranean Sea has been an important way to get people, merchants, and goods throughout the region since ancient times. This enabled locals to exchange culinary customs, which resulted in a large number of common ingredients. In fact, what is referred to as the “Mediterranean triad” has formed the basis for a great deal of the Mediterranean cuisine that is prevalent in the region: wheat for bread, grapes for wine, and olives. Let’s start by talking about olives because they are the most common ingredients associated with the Mediterranean region.
Table of Contents
A Celebration of Olive
Olives, which are the fruit of the olive tree, are part of a very ancient dish. This is because the Mediterranean has been growing olive trees for thousands of years. Olive trees can survive for hundreds of years, and there are approximately 1,500 older olive trees today that still produce fruit. It is not a surprise that there are so many different varieties of olives in the Mediterranean, as people have been growing olive trees for a long time. Unripe olives are green, but fully ripe they turn purple or black. Both ripe and unripe olives are eaten.
Oleiferas are very bitter in nature, so they must be cured before being consumed. When olives are cured, they are soaked in a solution of some kind, usually brine, to get rid of the unpleasant bitter flavours. Olives can be eaten raw or pitted and stuffed with something like cheese, anchovies, pimento (a kind of red bell pepper) or garlic cloves. Pickling olives with vinegar, herbs, or spices is another way to make them. Olives are common in the Mediterranean region and can be eaten as a snack or with a big meal. Olives are so popular and widespread that a lot of restaurants will give a small dish of olives to every table free of charge.
Olive oil, which is produced from the juice of olives, has a long history in the food industry. It was burned in oil lamps and is used to make soap and makeup. The Olive oil trade was a significant part of commerce within and beyond the Mediterranean region, which goes back as far as the Roman Empire. Although its use outside of the kitchen has declined over time, its culinary uses are still very important. For some Mediterranean countries, olive oil is a major commercial product.
Fresh Produce and Aromatics in Mediterranean Cuisine
The Mediterranean region has abundant sunshine and fertile soils, both of which are important for agriculture. It is therefore not a surprise that healthy vegetables, beans, and legumes are so important in Mediterranean dishes. Everyone eats lettuce like eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes, squash, spinach, etc. Baked, sautéed, grilled, roasted, pureed, and served fresh on salads are all ways that these vegetables can be cooked.
Aromatics like onions and garlic often take centre stage in the area, and their taste is often allowed to shine through in a simple dish, unfettered by complex sauces. Due to the high nutritional value of the fresh vegetables used in the majority of their dishes, many people believe that the “Mediterranean diet” is linked to health and longevity.
Also, the variety of produce in this area means a diner can cover a lot of different nutritional requirements in one day. Also, legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and white kidney beans grow well here and can be found in every Mediterranean cuisine. Furthermore, fresh herbs grow well all over this region and are often used in Mediterranean cuisine.
Although there are some cultural differences, certain herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, parsley, mint, garlic, tarragon, fennel, cilantro, and saffron are commonly used. Mediterranean cuisine depends on a healthy, growing climate, which is why many chefs rely on fresh herbs and aromatics to give their simple dishes an intense taste.
Staples of Mediterranean
- Bread- Pita bread is a favourite of Western diners. Pita bread, either as a convenient alternative to sandwiches or as a fast-paced pizza crust, is certainly something you have heard of. Pitas are loved all over the Mediterranean and can be found in cooking in Greece, North Africa, Iran, Armenia, Turkey, and even some parts of the Indian Subcontinent. When pitas bake, steam causes the dough to puff up and split into two sides, forming a pocket that can be split open and filled with ingredients.
- Stuffed vegetables- Dolma, or “dole-mah,” is a common dish in the Middle East. It is usually made of grape leaves, chard, or cabbage and stuffed with rice, ground meat, nuts, and spices, and then stewed in oil and tomatoes. Squash, onions, peppers, and eggplant are also commonly stuffed vegetables. Eggplant is often referred to as “the Middle East potato” because it is so popular and versatile.
- Hummus- Chickpea-based hummus is another popular dip that has entered Western kitchens. Actually, the Arabic word for “chickpeas” is “hummus”. Chickpeas are mashed and then mixed with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic to make hummus. Hummus, which is considered a very old dish, is highly nutritious. It has a significant amount of B vitamins and folate while it is high in iron and vitamin C. Chickpeas are eaten by many vegetarians and vegans around the world because they are a great source of protein and fibre. Another popular Middle Eastern street food is made with Chickpeas: falafel. These small balls are deep-fried ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices.
A Diversity of Culture
Mediterranean cuisine was traditionally represented by French, Italian, Spanish, and Greek cuisines. Foods that have attracted international attention, such as those from Morocco, Turkey, Syria Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, are now being included. At the same time, micro-cuisines from traditional southern European areas that have long-standing Mediterranean foods are focusing on their variations. Wherever possible, everyone is welcome for the unique twist they can bring to a Mediterranean cuisine that, while popular, is still prone to stagnation.
Dussini Mediterranean Bistro in San Diego is one example of a more expansive interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine. There, Executive Chef Walter Manikowski takes a geographic perspective on Mediterranean cuisine. His goal is to combine various Mediterranean themes into dishes that introduce new flavours and, when possible, a healthier profile. His commitment to a broader view of Mediterranean cuisine is demonstrated by Newsousand pastry chefs from Morocco.
The commercial trade show circuit shows the Mediterranean’s evolution as well. The headliner of recent food service industry trends show shows how widely the Mediterranean is now defined. Chet Holden, owner of Creative Culinary Services in Dallas, did not give a fresh spin on French, Greek, or Italian cuisine in a Mediterranean cuisine trends presentation. He instead distributed food from North African countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt. He said it was a reference to the appearance of new Mediterranean varieties that are attracting more chefs and prepared food companies.
Conclusion
Mediterranean cuisine refers to dishes prepared by the countries and cultures located along the Mediterranean Sea, a massive body of water that connects Asia, Europe, and Africa. The Mediterranean Sea has been an important way to get people, merchants, and goods throughout the region since ancient times. This enabled locals to exchange culinary customs, which resulted in a large number of common ingredients. Olives, which are the fruit of the olive tree, are part of a very ancient dish. This is because the Mediterranean has been growing olive trees for thousands of years.
The Mediterranean region has abundant sunshine and fertile soils, both of which are important for agriculture. It is therefore not a surprise that fresh vegetables, beans, and legumes are so important in Mediterranean dishes. Mediterranean cuisine was traditionally represented by French, Italian, Spanish, and Greek cuisines. Foods that have attracted international attention, such as those from Morocco, Turkey, Syria Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, are now being included.