Tunisian food is both filling and delicious with fresh ingredients and various spices and herbs. It is a cuisine with influences from the Mediterranean, mainly French cuisine, but also Italian and Spanish cuisine and other North African countries.
This country is known for its love of food, but also for its love of spicy food. Below you can read more about Tunisian cuisine and its traditional cuisine.
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Lullaby is a Tunisian soup made from chickpeas that is both delicious and filling. It is made from chickpeas cooked in olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, harissa and lemon juice.
Sometimes eggs and tuna are added to the soup before serving.
couscous
Couscous is the national dish of Tunisia and is called Kos in the country. This is a dish that can be prepared in many different ways depending on which country you are in.
But usually couscous is served on a deep plate with meat or fish on top of vegetables.
fricassee
The traditional Tunisian sandwich fricassee is a must-try in Tunisia. It is a sandwich filled with different ingredients such as tuna, hummus, eggs, capers, olives and harissa.
This is a classic dish when it comes to street food in Tunisia. You can often find this sandwich on menus in both sandwich shops and fast food restaurants across the country.
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Harissa has a spicy red sauce made with cayenne pepper, olive oil, spices and herbs such as cumin, coriander and garlic.
This sauce comes from Tunisia, but it is also common in many other North African cuisines, such as Libyan, Algerian and Moroccan cuisine.
The sauce is used as an ingredient in many dishes – including sandwiches, soups, stews and couscous.
merguez
Merguez is a spicy sausage made from a mixture of beef, lamb or both. The red color of the sausage comes from the harissa sauce, which also gives the sausage a spicy taste.
They can be served directly from the grill, in breakfast dishes or as ingredients in sandwiches.
ojja (shushuka)
Shakshuka is a popular breakfast dish in Tunisia that you should try. It is a dish made from tomato sauce, garlic, chili, various spices and eggs.
Sometimes meat is also added to the dish, including the local merguez sausage.
pala
Brik is a classic Tunisian dish served in most restaurants and street kitchens around the country. It is a dish made of thin dough filled with minced meat, beef or vegetables and an egg.
The filling dough is folded, boiled and served hot.
mechoua
This is another classic in Tunisian cuisine. It is a grilled salad made from ripe tomatoes with green chilies, onions, olive oil, spices, harissa and lemon.
Before serving, sprinkle hard-boiled eggs and tuna on top of the grilled salad.
Kamounia
Kamounia is a Tunisian stew made from beef cooked in cumin. This is a stew that is both delicious and filling.
The stew is often served with rice and parsley.
More about Tunisian cuisine
Tunisian cuisine is a mix of Mediterranean and Berber cuisine. Like many other Mediterranean countries, Tunisian cuisine is based on olive oil, tomatoes, spices, fish, shellfish and meat.
Unlike other North African countries, Tunisian cuisine is quite strong. A common ingredient in traditional dishes is a strong sauce called harissa.
Chili, tomato puree, tuna, eggs and olives are also common in Tunisian cuisine.
What is the national law of Tunisia?
Couscous is the national dish of Tunisia.
What do you eat for dessert in Tunisia?
One of the most popular sweets in Tunisia is Makaroudh. It is a pastry made from date cream rolled in semolina flour. The dough is then baked in the oven and glazed with honey.
Do you have more questions about Tunisian cuisine? Feel free to leave a comment below!