Israeli pita
Israeli pita, also known as pitot, Israeli pitta, or simply pita, is the Israeli version of pita flatbread that is commonly served with hummus and other dips, or as a sandwich bread stuffed with sabich, falafel, chicken schnitzel, shawarma, or other fillings. Israeli pita is commonly found in Israel, as well as in the United States, and at restaurants offering Jewish and Israeli cuisine worldwide.[3]
.jpg) Israeli pita (pitot) | |
| Alternative names | Israeli pitta, pitot, pitotim, pita |
|---|---|
| Type | Flatbread |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Created by | Israelis[1][2] |
| Main ingredients | Flour, water, yeast, olive oil, kosher salt |
Overview
“Anyone who has been to Israel or any Israeli restaurant with house-made pita knows what I’m talking about — a thick, spongy, warm little loaf that has a perfectly sized pocket that maintains its composure as you stuff it full of falafel.”
Differences from other flatbreads and pitas
Israeli pita is different from other flatbread and pitas in several ways. Israeli pita is generally softer,[5] thicker and doughier than other flatbreads, and it always contains a pocket.[6] Israeli pita is generally thicker than other pitas.[7] Many Arab and Greek pitas are not as soft as Israeli pita, and are typically thinner or do not contain a pocket. The pocket of the pita has “thick walls”, which are unique to Israeli pita,[4] and help Israeli pita be sturdy enough for its signature fillings such as sabich, falafel, shawarma and chicken schnitzel, among others.[3]
Serving
Israeli pita is traditionally served fresh, best either after baking or on the same day, and is served warm.[3]
Use
Israeli pita is served fresh,[9] warm, and toasted for use in a variety of sandwiches, such as falafel, sabich, chicken schnitzel, shawarma, brik, and many more. As well as with a wide array of dips such as Israeli style hummus, baba ghanoush, muhammara, zhoug, harissa, hummus tehina, Jerusalem hummus,[3] and many others. It is also traditionally served in Israel as part of an Israeli breakfast, as well as with shakshouka or menemen. It is commonly served with eggs for breakfast. It is also sometimes served with cottage cheese.
Popularity
Israeli pita is one of, if not the most popular bread in Israel. It is an essential part of Israeli cuisine, and can be served for every meal and every occasion, and can be found on the menu at most restaurants, bakeries, market stalls, and food trucks across Israel. As it contains no animal products, it is inherently pareve and can be served with fleishig or milchig meals accordingly by to kashrut.[3]
In popular culture
- In the Israeli comedy series Beauty and the Baker, main character Amos Dahari (played by Aviv Alush) works at his family's Israeli pita bakery in a working-class city outside of Tel Aviv, when he falls in love with celebrity heiress, actress and socialist Noa Hollander (played by Rotem Sela).
- Israeli pita is featured prominently in the American documentary film “In Search of Israeli Cuisine on PBS.
- Israeli pita is referred to in the name of the 1974 album by the Israeli rock band Kaveret, Poogy in a Pita.
References
- Marks, Rabbi Gil. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food.
- Solomonov, Michael. Israeli Soul. HMH.
- Solomonov, Mike. Zahav. HMH.
- Yeh, Molly. "Pita-Fresh From Your Oven". The Forward. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- "Israeli Pita Bread". Olive Oil and Lemons. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- "Inside Israeli Pita". Humus 101. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- "Israeli Pita". Moti's Iraqi Cuisine. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- Goldfield, Hannah (30 April 2018). "Miznon Secures Pita Primacy at Chelsea Market (restaurant Review)". The New Yorker. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- Gross, Samantha J. (March 21, 2017). "How to make the best Israeli pita bread: ingredients, method and tips". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
