Best Vegetarian Dishes of Mediterranean Cuisine

Mediterranean cuisine is becoming one of the most popular cuisines today. Due to all the flavors and healthy attributes associated with the variety of dishes. In addition, there is also increasing interest in ethnic, healthy and vegetarian food.

Therefore, if you are searching for vegetarian food which is healthy as well as tasty, this cuisine is perfect for you. The use of olive oil, fresh herbs, vegetables and method of cooking that do not add fat makes Mediterranean food a tempting option for all the vegetarians out there.

Few of the best vegetarian dishes of this cuisine are:

• Hummus

This is a versatile dish. This Meddle Eastern dip has become a healthier option among various dips. It is made with chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and tahini, which is a sesame seed paste.

This humble dip provides you with protein and a number of essential vitamins and minerals.

Several places have different ways of tasting hummus.  For instance, in Israel and Egypt. It is eaten with a pita bread. The warm chickpeas and tahini makes a wonderful dip for the pita breads out there. This dish is popular among Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs.

Humus machabacha is a fancier version of Hummus. It is made out of lemon spiked tahini along with paprika, olive oil and chickpeas. Hummus is a staple food for the Palestinians and Jordanians. They can have it in their breakfast, lunch or dinner.

This dish is not only delicious. But, it is also nutritious as well. The chickpeas are a source of protein, vitamin B, fiber, manganese and other nutrients. Thus, next time you consume hummus, just remember how much nutritious it is.

• Baba ghanoush

It is a delicious Levantine dish made out of eggplant, tahini, olive oil and various other seasonings. It can be eaten as a starter or as a dip. The initial process of preparing this dish is to bake or boil the eggplant on a boiler without scraping the peel off. So, that makes the pulp soft and smoky as well.

This dish is definitely a stands out.

• Falafel

This deep fried ball of goodness has gained immense popularity among the vegetarians. It is an excellent alternative to meat-based street food. Moreover, falafel is a delight and a treat to the taste buds.

It is made from ground chickpeas, fava beans or both and deep fried. The shape may be that of a ball or patty. This traditional Middle Eastern food is a common dish eaten throughout the Middle East.

Many people even consider it as a source of protein. Falafel is commonly served in a pita, which acts as a pocket. It is high in protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates when it is made with chickpeas. The method of baking can be used instead of deep frying to reduce the high fat content associated with frying. Since, chickpeas are low in fat with no cholesterol. Thus, along with being a vegetarian dish, falafel is also a healthy option.

Conclusion

Although, this cuisine may seem simplistic, the method of cooking is not easy to master. Hence, make sure that you visit an authentic Mediterranean restaurant. So that you can experience the true excellence of the Mediterranean food.