Author: Areej Alsobh, PhD Food Engineering.
Food and cuisine are an integral part of the culture of any country. And as we know food has evolved from the time when humans hunted and foraged for food to today, where exploring and experiencing local cuisine is a major part of our trips. Where these days we see entire tomes and TV series, dedicated to food and travel for those people who seek to explore and experience different cultures through travel. Today, there are many countries whose name is associated with the dish in which they are famous. We can not mention Italy without mentioning pizza and pasta dishes, or France without mentioning the delicious varieties of chees, and we feel that we can smell croissant.
According to my experience, after I move from my country to Hungary I found out the difference in food and cooking between our Arab countries and this European country. In the Arab country and Asia in general, we rely on bulgur and rice in our meals in addition to meat, which is often fresh. Also, we eat cooked vegetables and our meals can be made of vegetables only without meat, this is something you rarely notice in Hungary and most of Hungarians do not consider the food as good food without meat. There is also a difference in the spices used, we tend to use cumin, mint, and cloves, While they use more basil, dill and they use a lot of red pepper.
In summary, if you visit Hungary you should try Gulyásleves which is prepared with meat, traditionally beef, that is simmered in a rich paprika-infused broth, usually alongside onions, bell peppers, root vegetables, various spices, and occasionally tomatoes, Gyümölcsleves which is cold fruit soups, halászlé it is fish soup, and you can try paprikash, lecsó.
If we talk about other European countries, and because I did not visit most of them, I asked some of my friends about their experience with the food there, and one of them told me that the best thing you can try in Poland is Pierogi which are filled dumplings, made with unleavened dough, they are usually filled with savory fillings including minced meat, potato and sometimes cheese, before being cooked in boiling water. While in Portugal you should try the Portuguese sandwich which originates from Porto and combines bread and a meat filling (typically wet-cured ham, fresh sausage, steak, or roast meat), before smothering it with melted cheese and a tomato and beer sauce and serving it up with a side of french fries. In Turkey try gözleme which is a rolled flatbread filled with a variety of ingredients before it is cooked over a hot griddle. Typical fillings include minced meat or spinach and feta. While in Sweden try (Swedish) Meatballs, in Bosnia & Herzegovina you should try Ćevapi .
It is interesting to see how the world can be explored and open to people through their food and serving habits. Also, trying new food can show or be seen as a sign of respect for the culture you’re being introduced to, although sometimes this food may be out of your comfort zone, it is necessary to try because without trying you can not enjoy or gain a great experience/
