This past February I was thrilled to spend 7 days exploring Israel, and had the pleasure of eating the most spectacular falafels I've ever known, each one more incredible than the last.
What is a falafel? Ground chickpeas and spices are formed into a golf-sized ball, then deep fried and served in a pita with lots of veggies and topped with tahini (sesame seed paste). A wonderful vegetarian sandwich so flavourful, you forget there's no meat inside.
Mashowa restaurant, Haifa
This small restaurant in Palyam #7 is in an area of ministry offices, thus serving up quick fare for busy professionals. It reminded me of the pita places we have here, but oh, the light falafel, the melty tahini, the pillowy pita....oh!
Falafel at the informal Mashowa restaurant, Haifa
...the vinaigery pickles, the crunchy cucumbers, the sweet pickled cabbage, the lemony-minty tomatoes, the pale green falafels.....
Pickled cabbage, crunchy veg, light green falafels, velvety tahini, homemade pita. Mmmm.
Falafel No. 1, Mahane Yehuda market (Shuk), Jerusalem
After being dazzled by the fruit, vegetables, fish and poultry of the Shuk, we came across Falafel No. 1, and had to stop.
Falafel no. 1. How could we lose?
Mash your way through a sea of people on a narrow sidewalk, all trying to get their hands on the freshest falafels around:
The falafel man furiously stuffs falafels while ignoring waving hands...and cameras....
I couldn't hold my French fry- and eggplant-topped falafel so fresh it made me want to weep....and take a good photo at the same time:
But as you can see, everyone is blissed-out, shoveling these incredible falafels into their mouths:
Abu Shakri, Muslim Quarter (across from the 5th Station of the Cross), Jerusalem
Famous all over Jerusalem for their hummus, Abu Shakri served up the lightest falafels I had eaten yet. You wouldn't know they had spent a second drowning in delicious Israeli olive oil. Abu Shakri takes a DIY approach to falafels, making sure you enjoy all their amazing accompaniments: sour pickles, sweet & herbaceous eggplant dip, lemony chopped salad, spicy Turkish sauce, signature hummus, labneh (fresh yogurt cheese), smooth tahini, and homemade pita.
Pickles, eggplant dip, creamy hummus, salad, Turkish sauce, tahini, labneh (soft cheese) and fries...go into the pita with your falafel!
It was so amazing I made a movie:
Ha'chatzer restaurant, Jerusalem (close to the German colony)
This dinner spot - known as "The Yard" because they converted an old gasoline tank into a restaurant - treated us to a veritable feast that blended the Middle East with French, Italian and Southeast Asian flavours. But what did I love the most? Fish falafels!
Fish falafel nestled on creamy tahini, surrounded by an olive oil moat.
The chef put a twist on the traditional ground chickpea by adding fresh fish to the falafels, making them meatier than the original with a sweeter undertone. Complete with creamy tahini and Israeli olive oil, this gourmet version of falafel was a special treat indeed.
Make your own falafels at home!
Of course our stars in The Canadian Living Test Kitchen have created falafel recipes. Here are three of them below. Don't forget to add lots of crunchy veggies, creamy tahini, smooth hummus, and fresh-as-can-be pitas. The French fries were kind of awesome on top too, but not necessary:
Where's your favourite falafel joint in Canada?
