Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Food

Let's talk food.

I think that there is a general misconception when you live in the US that you can't get anything in Israel, but I'm not sure that we realize just how far this country has come in the past few years. People who lived here 20 years ago will laugh when I say that even the differences from 5 years ago are noticeable. Heinz ketchup, Hellman's mayo, General Mills cereals, Pantene, Pampers, all available at normal prices in most stores! For mucho dinero you can also buy your very own frozen Entemann's donuts. But the truth is that you don't even need those things when you look at what naturally comes from the ground here.

The kids are eating me out of house and home. We are tasting for the first time some of the best fruits and vegetables we've ever had (sorry Danny Weg, eat your heart out). The fruit, like it's inhabitants and even the land itself is deceiving in its humility. The fruits and veggies look small and unmentionable, if not downright puny. The melons look unripe and awkwardly shaped. But take the chance and take some of these home, and seriously, BEST food ever.

And don't even get me started on the fresh pitas, rolls and breads! We are eating an average of 15-20 pitas a day plus 2 loaves of bread. Between the breads and the super fresh chummus and all those fruits and veg we haven't eaten much else. I am hoping that all the walking we are doing will even out the damage, but we'll have to balance things out a bit more when we get more settled.

The prepared food is also unbelievable! Maybe because we are coming from out-of-town with very limited choices, but what you can buy here is amazing! Pre-made mini-pizzas, frozen burekas, dairy products, etc. It's so exciting!

I guess it shouldn't come as such a surprise. We know that טובה הארץ מאד מאד, I guess it's just cool to experience it first hand. 

5 comments:

Anne said...

I used to buy watermelons from the back of a truck on the road in Zfat. The best. Rarely had to wonder if the fruit was ripe. Could always tell. Sigh... And the bread! Even their white bread was wonderful.

Abby said...

so true!! When I was there a couple of months ago, I was blown away by the incredible flavor of everything that I ate! B"H Everything is more vivid, delicious & real in Eretz Yisrael for sure!

CookieFiend said...

mmmm...just finished dinner and you're making me so hungry. I think that this is because in the US fruits and veggies are bred for looks and everywhere else they care mostly about taste.

NekudaTova said...

So true Tali! They are really so unassuming.

bubbebia said...

Just came home from the market though. Pretty good stuff today. But there's nothing like the shuk--the breads, the rugelach......