If you’re ever in Tunisia, make sure you try the Couscous. And the Shakshuka. And the Brik. And the … heck, just try everything on this list. You won’t be sorry.
Tunisian cuisine is full of flavors. This richness is explained as the country was a major civilization crossing, Berber cultures to Andalusian, Arab populations through the Italians, Jews and Turks.
Even today, the country remains marked by these different traditions. The most common ingredients of Tunisian cuisine are wheat, olives, meat, fish and seafood. Spices and chili are also an integral part of local gastronomy.
Couscous
By far the most popular dish in Tunisia. It’s the national dish of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco and is to North Africa what rice is to much of the rest of the world.
Shakshuka
Shakshuka is one of the most popular traditional dishes in Tunisia. It’s originated from the Tunisian Jewish cuisine.
It’s actually the go to when in need of a quick yet flavorful food fix. It is often made with a spicy lamb sausage known as merguez, making for an amazing breakfast hearty enough to be eaten at any meal, but it can just as easily be made vegetarian.
Slata Mechouia
Slata mechouia literally means “grilled salad” as the vegetables are grilled over an open flame. It’s a very popular dish in Tunisia.
Kafteji
Kafteji is a very popular popular dish in Tunisia, served with liver or merguez. It’s made of potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkin and eggs.
We have a dedicated article that explains how to cook Kafteji in a healthy way.
Lablebi
A typical Tunisian dish. It’s a soup of chickpeas, served with bread, olive oil, harissa, salt, caraway, garlic, and lemon.
Makrouna
One of the very known dishes that truly represents Tunisia. Makrouna (Tunisian Pasta) is a pasta made in a Tunisian way. Usually very spicy.
Brik
One of the country’s most popular traditional food. Tunisian brik is savory, stuffed “pastry” typically triangular-shaped.
Mloukhiya
Tunisian Mloukhia is made of the leaves of Corchorus olitorius, commonly known in the Middle East and North Africa but it is orginally a jew Tunisian dish.
Tajin
The tajine name usually given to slow-cooked dishes made from meat and vegetables. The Tunisian tajine is different, it comes in the form of gratin. Full of cheese and spicy.
Felfel Mehchi
Felfel mehchi is a stuffed pepper dish from Tunisia made with bull’s horn bell peppers stuffed with ground beef, cheese, vegetables, spices, and topped with a spicy red sauce.
Suggested read: Top 10 Tunisian Street Foods
If you would like to comment on this article or anything else you have seen on Carthage Magazine, leave a comment below or head over to our Facebook page. You may also message us via this page.
And if you liked this article, sign up for the monthly features newsletter. A handpicked selection of stories from Carthage Magazine, delivered to your inbox.
