Snack (In the Middle East section)
A staple of snacks in the Middle East is varieties of nuts[1]. Among the many varieties available within the region, the most popular are almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and pistachios[2]. According to archeological evidence, nuts have been part of the Middle Eastern diet for centuries with ancient civilizations taking advantage of them for their health benefits[3]. The health benefits of nuts comes from them being good sources of protein, healthy fats, fibers, vitamins and minerals[4]. Nuts have now become a regular snack with a 119 billion dollar market as of 2022 that is projected to continue growing into 2023[5]. Nuts can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as by roasting them with spices and lemon juice or incorporating them into food and deserts such as baklava, knafeh, and kibbeh[6][7][8].
Spreads and dips are eaten with pita bread. The most popular dip in the middle east is hummus[9]. Hummus is a blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic usually served with olive oil and paprika on top[10]. Hummus's origins can be traced back to a Syrian cookbook from the 13th century[11]. Other dips are also popularly served such as mouhammara and baba ganoush[9]. Mouhammara is a walnut, tahini, and roasted red pepper dip served with olive oil on top originating from the Syrian city of Aleppo[12]. Baba ganoush is a spread made from roasted eggplants, olive oil, and other vegetables[13]. The origins of baba ganoush are not clear with many conflicting pieces of evidence pointing to multiple countries of origin[14]. A sweet dip is Ashta, a cream made from milk, rose or orange blossom water, and ghee, which is usually accompanied with honey[15].
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