Libya: Libyan Food Recap

Libyan cuisine is a flavorful blend of Mediterranean, North African, and Middle Eastern influences – a mix of Berber, Arab, Ottoman, and Italian – lots of stews, pasta-influenced dishes, couscous. The latter – couscous – is really a national staple, steamed and served with vegetable and meat stew and flavored with spices like saffron. Great soups – lentil and shorba. Another truly Libyan dish is mabrouka – basically a layered pasta with meat, tomato sauce, and spices. Libya has its own version of tajine – a baked casserole of meat, vegetables, and eggs, spiced with cumin and garlic. Lots of fresh fish and shrimp, simply grilled and zested with lemon. Coffee culture probably comes from Italian influences and there are some great macchiatos to be had in Libya, as well as flavorful and very sweet Berber teas. Finally, freshly quizzed juices deserve a mention – like pure strawberry or pure blood orange – insanely good!