Mediterranean food is a general description for a broad range of different cultures and eating styles in the Mediterranean area. Although these people often have similar dishes, ingredients, and healthy eating styles, how food is prepared or seasoned can vary.

Today we will be looking at an Eastern Mediterranean area called the Levant, an area known for some of our favorite Mediterranean dishes. If you have ever enjoyed falafel, hummus or baba ghanoush, you’ve enjoyed a taste of the Levant area.

A Love for Mezze

Although many dishes are the same, what truly sets Levant foods apart is how it is prepared. This area focuses on Mezze, or many plates of small shareable dishes. Mezze is an important part of hospitality as well. The number of dishes and variety of food reflects on the host, so many foods are often offered to guests when they visit for a meal.

Fresh herbs are also much more common in these dishes compared to other regions, and wheat is king over other grains.

Olive oil is important in all of the Mediterranean of course, but in the Levant region it is more present than ever. Olive oil is the major fat source and is used in almost everything. Where some areas are a bit more conservative with oils are branch out into other types, the Levantine area is all in when it comes to olive oil.

Common Dishes

We have mentioned some of the common dishes earlier, but let’s take a closer look at common dishes offered in the Levantine area. Don’t be surprised if these are dishes you see on the menu at our restaurant, as we feature many dishes from all areas of the  Mediterranean.

Kebabs
We all love roasted meats and veggies juicy and waiting for that first, succulent bite. Kebabs are a common dish in the Levant. A common way to make them is to grind lamb with onions and spices, form them onto a stick, and grill them into delicious perfection. Cubing the meat and skewering it with onions and peppers is another common way to serve these decadent treats.

Shawarma
When we think of Mediterranean cooking, a common image is a spit piled high with juicy meat. The slow roasted meat is shaved off with a sharp knife,  and the seasoned meat is served with flatbreads, pickles, and tahini.

This beloved staple is a common food in the Levant, and every bit as delicious there as it is in other parts of the Mediterranean.

Fatoush
This delicious salad is commonly used in the Levantine area to use up day old flatbreads. The flatbread is chopped up into squares, tossed with lettuce and other vegetables, and served with a tangy salad dressing.

The result is a delicious but also practical and sustainable meal.

The Levantine area is a remarkable part of the Mediterranean. They serve many of the dishes common to other parts, but add their own personal flare to it. The result is food that is familiar, but also delicious and wholesome.