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Harissa

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This article is about the chili pepper paste. For the Armenian porridge, see Harissa (dish). For the semolina-based dessert, see Basbousa.
For other uses, see Harissa (disambiguation).
Harissa
Alternative namesهريسة
TypePaste
Region or stateMaghreb
Main ingredientsRed peppers
Ingredients generally usedBaklouti pepper

Harissa (Arabic: هريسة, romanized: harīsa, from Maghrebi Arabic) is a hot chili pepper paste, native to the Maghreb. The main ingredients are roasted red peppers, Baklouti peppers (بقلوطي), spices and herbs such as garlic paste, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, cumin and olive oil to carry the oil-soluble flavors.[1]

Tunisia is the biggest exporter of prepared harissa and UNESCO lists it as part of Tunisia's Intangible Cultural Heritage.[2][3] The origin of harissa goes back to the importation of chili peppers into Maghrebian cuisine by the Columbian exchange,[4] presumably during the Spanish occupation of Ottoman Tunisia between 1535 and 1574.[5]

Etymology

The word derives from the Arabic root harasa (Arabic: هرس) 'to pound, to break into pieces', referring to pounding chilis,[6] a tool traditionally used to make the paste in the Maghreb is called Mehraz [fr],[7] and similar names are used for other pastes in the Maghrebi cuisine, such as "Hrous" which uses the same harissa recipe with a slight difference in the peppers, which are green.

Consumption and culinary traditions

Algeria

In Algeria, harissa is commonly added to soups, stews, and couscous.[8] Harissa paste can also be used as a rub for meat[9] or eggplants.[10] Another significant producer is Algeria's Annaba Province,[11] which is also a significant consumer.[12] According to cookbook author Martha Rose Shulman, premade harissa tastes rather different from that which is served in Tunisian and expatriate restaurants.

Israel and Libya

In Israel, harissa is a common topping for sabich[13] and shawarma.

Filfel chuma (Hebrew: פלפלצ'ומה‎), also spelled pilpelshuma, literally "pepper garlic", is the typical chili sauce of Libyan Jewish cuisine which is very similar to the harissa.[14] It comes from Libyan cuisine,[citation needed] where it is known as maseer (Arabic: المصير or مسّير حار mseyer).[15][16] It is also known by other names such as filfil mukhalal (فلفل مخلل) and filfil makbos (فلفل مكبوس).[17] It is made from powdered sweet and hot peppers and crushed garlic. Other ingredients, such as ground caraway seeds, cumin, lemon juice, and salt are sometimes added.[14] It serves as a condiment and as an ingredient in dishes such as salads, meat, fish, legumes and rice, and egg dishes such as shakshouka.

Morocco

Moroccan cuisine has also adopted harissa, and some Moroccans use it as a side condiment for tagines, or sometimes mixed into dishes. Moroccans tend to have a preference for less seasoned harissa as it allows them to incorporate it into dishes of different flavor profiles.[18]

Tunisia

Recipes for harissa vary according to the household and region. Variations can include the addition of fermented onions or lemon juice. Prepared harissa is sold in jars, cans, bottles and tubes. Harissa is sometimes described as "Tunisia's main condiment",[19] even "the national condiment of Tunisia",[20] or at least as "the hallmark of Tunisia's fish and meat dishes".[21] In Tunisia, harissa is used as an ingredient in a meat (poultry, beef, goat, or lamb) or fish stew with vegetables, and as a flavoring for couscous. It is also used for lablabi, a chickpea soup, and fricasse.

Tunisia is the biggest exporter of prepared harissa.[22] In 2006, the Tunisian production of harissa was 22,000 tonnes, incorporating about 40,000 tonnes of peppers.[23] Tunisian harissa is often made with Baklouti peppers[24] and chilis grown around Nabeul and Gabès, which are relatively mild, scoring 4,000–5,000 on the Scoville scale.[25] On December 1, 2022, UNESCO added "Harissa, knowledge, skills and culinary and social practices" as part of Tunisia's Intangible Cultural Heritage.[2][3]

See also

Look up harissa in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

  1. ^ @NatGeoUK (2019-08-16). "Breaking bread: coastal cuisine and family feasts in Tunisia". National Geographic. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  2. ^ a b unesco. "New inscriptions to the UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage". Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b "UNESCO - Harissa, knowledge, skills and culinary and social practices". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  4. ^ Morse, Kitty; Lucy Malouf (1998). Artichoke to Za'atar: Modern Middle Eastern Food. U of California P. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-8118-1503-1.
  5. ^ Gil Marks (2008). Olive Trees and Honey: A Treasury of Vegetarian Recipes from Jewish Communities Around the World. Northwest African Chili Paste (Harissa): Wiley. ISBN 978-0-544-18750-4.
  6. ^ Jose (2016-07-22). "The Story of Harissa". Belazu Ingredient Company. Archived from the original on 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  7. ^ "Le Mehres, un outil de grand-mère qui n'a jamais perdu son charme". tunisie.co. 2023-09-17. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  8. ^ Sari Edelstein (2010). Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 345. ISBN 978-1-4496-5968-4.
  9. ^ Fayed, Saad. "Flank Steak with Harissa". About.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2009-08-02.]
  10. ^ "Baby Eggplant with Harissa and Mint". Ashbury's Aubergines. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  11. ^ Oxford Business Group (2008). The Report: Algeria 2008. Oxford Business Group. p. 230. ISBN 978-1-902339-09-2. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  12. ^ Ken Albala (2011). Food Cultures of the World Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-313-37626-9.
  13. ^ Jane Hughes (2013). The Adventurous Vegetarian: Around the World in 30 Meals. New Internationalist Publications, Limited. p. 182. ISBN 978-1-78026-124-9.
  14. ^ a b Gur, Jana; (et al.) (2007). The Book of New Israeli Food: A Culinary Journey. Schocken Books. pg. 295. ISBN 9780805212242
  15. ^ How to make Libyan maseer
  16. ^ North African hot recipes
  17. ^ How to prepare mseyer in the Libyan cuisine
  18. ^ Benkabbou, Nargisse (2016-07-12). "Harissa". My Moroccan Food. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
  19. ^ Linda Civitello (2011). Cuisine and Culture: A History of Food and People. John Wiley & Sons. p. 244. ISBN 978-1-118-09875-2.
  20. ^ Jessica B. Harris (1998). The Africa Cookbook: Tastes of a Continent. Simon & Schuster. p. 137. ISBN 978-0-684-80275-6.
  21. ^ Marshall Cavendish (2006). World and Its Peoples. Marshall Cavendish. p. 1282. ISBN 978-0-7614-7571-2.
  22. ^ Tunisian Harissa Export cepex.nat.tn Archived September 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Oxford Business Group. The Report: Tunisia 2008. Oxford Business Group. p. 195. ISBN 978-1-902339-93-1. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  24. ^ Cosmo, Serena (2017-10-24). The Ultimate Pasta and Noodle Cookbook. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-60433-733-4.
  25. ^ Donna Wheeler; Paul Clammer; Emilie Filou (2010). Tunisia. Lonely Planet. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-74179-001-6.
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