Israel participates in the annual celebration of the most-loved Middle Eastern treat.
In addition to being Philippines Independence Day and the start of the World Cup, June 12 also happens to be World Falafel Day.
Gabai’s famous falafel, located on Bograshov Street in central Tel Aviv – Photo: Rotem Maimon
In honor of the day honoring Israel’s national food, we’ve trawled through our archives and found seven must-read articles to help you mark the occasion.
On World Falafel Day, at least, let’s not argue over the origins of the humble dish. Let’s have a ball.
No matter where it originated, falafel is still Israel’s national food
First it was the Great Hummus War, now it’s falafel. Putting food fights aside, interest in falafel is completely cross-cultural. Despite its actual birthplace, the fried chickpea treat still remains a favorite national dish. It is speculated that falafel came from Egypt or possibly India as some claim, but its popularity spread as immigrants relocated to their new countries.
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Having a ball: The 5 best falafel joints in Tel Aviv
There is an obvious reason as to why falafel garners fans from all over the world. As Israel’s most famous street food, it’s readily available, cheap, and eaten by everyone. This vegetarian fast food holds an important spot in Israeli culture as the country is full with falafel eateries. Though it is nearly impossible to pinpoint where to find the best falafel, here are five falafel joints that never fail to satisfy.
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Modern Manna recipe / Israeli falafel balls
The plethora of falafel corner-restaurants in Israel is a mere indication of just how tasty this iconic meal really is. With over hundreds of variations in recipes and techniques, it is simple to experiment and make your own right at home. Here is a simple recipe for an authentic Israeli-style falafel that you can mold according to your own tastes.
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The staple meal of the Middle East cannot be missed when visiting Israel. Falafel is the ultimate symbol of Israeli cuisine that tourists must try when touring the country. The falafel ball, concocted of spiced ground chickpeas, is fan-favorite that incites the palettes of foodies and tourists alike. With the overabundance of falafel joints dispersed throughout every city, there’s no reason you should miss out on indulging in this treat.
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Falafel balls filled with French cheese
With the ever-growing popularity of the culinary creation of falafel, new innovations are constantly arising turning this humble dish into an eclectic delicatessen. Fusion dishes, featuring cooking methods characteristic of Arab cuisine, are becoming increasingly popular among Israel’s top chefs. The combination of various spices, vegetables and ingredients enable the creation of hybrid treats, such as falafel filled with French cheese.
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Falafel Man, here to save the day
Falafel is not simply a meal to lunch on, but heroic in its own right. For Dorit Maya-Gur, falafel fueled her inspiration to create Falafel Man, a superhero and protagonist in her comic book. Just as Maya-Gur almost ignited her kitchen while attempting to prepare falafel, Falafel Man gained his powers through an incident also involving falafel. As Maya-Gur proves, falafel is not solely a tasty snack, but a dish that paves the way for countless inspirations.
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The Falafel Index: Psst. Want a cheap stuffed pita? Won’t find one in Israel
According to Forbes’ study, the shekel is one of the most overvalued currencies in the Middle East. The Falafel Index determines the value of currencies in terms of prices of falafel within the region. According to the Falafel Index, the cheapest falafel can be purchased in Gaza and the West Bank, where a mere $10 buys 17 falafels. In cities like Haifa and Tel Aviv, $10 only buys two sandwiches. However, this has yet to affect to the sales of falafel sandwiches.
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View original HAARETZ publication at: http://www.haaretz.com/life/culture/1.598191
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