It's so funny when people ask me about "the food." I know it's an important part of any culture but I'm so not a foodie as you all know.
Plus...You won't believe my first week here how many times I had pizza! And crepes and French pastries! It wasn't until yesterday, Friday afternoon, that I was finally treated to an authentic Moroccan meal.
Apparently people take off from work on a Friday at like 3p to have coucscous with the family. The couscous takes hours to cook and it's simmering w a bunch of vegetables so it has to be started early in the day.
So we five new American teachers ate at Steve's house. He's the director of the school-American from Boston married to a Moroccan woman. They met at Boston Uni and now have three little kids. Nice family.
So they bring out this HUGE clay pot filled with couscous and slices of cabbage, carrots, garbanzo beans sprinkled on top and pieces of cooked pumpkin (see pic above). It's placed in the center of the table and everyone has a big soup spoon and the protocol is to eat only from the section right in front of you. You don't have a separate plate; you're just all eating from the clay pot so it's ok to double dip (Seinfeld...). But imagine a triangular section with imaginary lines (which actually could be denoted with a carrot stick) that's yours, so you don't go and pick from the other side.
When the meal is being prepared, the person makes sure the vegetables etc are evenly distributed for this reason. I believe there is often meat, but Steve and his wife are both vegetarians.
It's delicious and even this simple dish with just a few ingredients filled me up. Then you take a nap... lol
Tonight, we had a teacher training at the center with like 20 colleagues and guess what? They brought in a bunch of pizzas in boxes like they were from a place like Dominos. They go nuts here for pizza 🍕
All of the restaurants by the beach lining the parc are Italian or with Italian dishes. In fact, Steve's wife, Medeha, said you will get the best Moroccan meals at a home not in the restaurants bc couscous and authentic Moroccan fare takes hours to cook and prepare and restaurants are looking to move patrons in and out. I'm sure there are some top-notch places around especially in bigger cities like Rabat and Casa, but just walking into a little place isn't going to be the best Moroccan meal ever apparently.
Plus...You won't believe my first week here how many times I had pizza! And crepes and French pastries! It wasn't until yesterday, Friday afternoon, that I was finally treated to an authentic Moroccan meal.
Apparently people take off from work on a Friday at like 3p to have coucscous with the family. The couscous takes hours to cook and it's simmering w a bunch of vegetables so it has to be started early in the day.
So we five new American teachers ate at Steve's house. He's the director of the school-American from Boston married to a Moroccan woman. They met at Boston Uni and now have three little kids. Nice family.
So they bring out this HUGE clay pot filled with couscous and slices of cabbage, carrots, garbanzo beans sprinkled on top and pieces of cooked pumpkin (see pic above). It's placed in the center of the table and everyone has a big soup spoon and the protocol is to eat only from the section right in front of you. You don't have a separate plate; you're just all eating from the clay pot so it's ok to double dip (Seinfeld...). But imagine a triangular section with imaginary lines (which actually could be denoted with a carrot stick) that's yours, so you don't go and pick from the other side.
When the meal is being prepared, the person makes sure the vegetables etc are evenly distributed for this reason. I believe there is often meat, but Steve and his wife are both vegetarians.
It's delicious and even this simple dish with just a few ingredients filled me up. Then you take a nap... lol
Tonight, we had a teacher training at the center with like 20 colleagues and guess what? They brought in a bunch of pizzas in boxes like they were from a place like Dominos. They go nuts here for pizza 🍕
All of the restaurants by the beach lining the parc are Italian or with Italian dishes. In fact, Steve's wife, Medeha, said you will get the best Moroccan meals at a home not in the restaurants bc couscous and authentic Moroccan fare takes hours to cook and prepare and restaurants are looking to move patrons in and out. I'm sure there are some top-notch places around especially in bigger cities like Rabat and Casa, but just walking into a little place isn't going to be the best Moroccan meal ever apparently.
Food is relatively inexpensive. The above groceries in total cost 43 dirhams which equals about $4.40. You can see this includes fresh fruit, vegetables, pastries and milk.
For the most part, you can find the same products albeit for much lower price than in the States.
My first breakfast at a Moroccan cafe. Omelette with cheese, tomatoe/greens garnish, olives with olive oil, fresh orange juice, soup, cafe au lait, bread.
RSS Feed