Mediterranean Food

Mediterranean food is found within the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and vary from region to region. Morocco is known for its use of dried fruits, while Egypt offers a ful medames (fava bean porridge), eaten as a standard breakfast meal, made with fava beans stewed with ground coriander, cumin, garlic, lemon, and topped with hard-cooked egg, cilantro and olive oil. A favorite dish in Syria is cold yogurt soup. Greek cuisine boasts octopus salad as a specialty. Food from France and Italy, while it technically falls within this description, has been known for so long on its own that it's usually thought of as "French Cuisine" and "Italian Cuisine". Probably the most common variety of Mediterranean Food in the United States other than these two is Greek Food.

• Fish: In Mediterranean cooking, fish and seafood are used in many dishes throughout all regions.

• Olive oil: Olive trees are found throughout Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean countries. Olive oil is used widely amongst most dishes and is believed to aid in longevity.

• Grilling: Eastern Mediterranean dishes typically consist of grilled meats, breads, hummus, and falafel (fried balls made with fava beans, chickpeas and spices).

• Vegetables: In Mediterranean cooking, some commonly used vegetables are eggplant, onions, garlic, cucumber, tomatoes, chick peas, fava beans, various green beans, broccoli, various greens like kale, asparagus, and artichokes. Hearts of palm are also used.

• Mediterranean fruits include olives, lemons, figs, dates, pears, grapes, and oranges. As is the case with vegetables, there are other fruits that grow there and are used, but are not quite as characteristically Mediterranean.

• Almonds, pistachios and pine nuts are also used throughout the region.

• Mediterranean pastries include many different but similar treats based on layered flaky pastries; honey; cinnamon, and pistachios or almonds are common ingredients. Greek Bakalava is one example. Common flavorings include lemon and almond extracts, and orange flower and rose water.