<strong>Famous falafel: </strong>An order of crispy falafel at Amman's historic Hashem Restaurant goes perfectly with a creamy bowl of baba ghanoush. The meal arrives alongside tomatoes, onions and fresh herbs that add piquant flavor to the olive oil-rich food.<br />
Famous falafel: An order of crispy falafel at Amman's historic Hashem Restaurant goes perfectly with a creamy bowl of baba ghanoush. The meal arrives alongside tomatoes, onions and fresh herbs that add piquant flavor to the olive oil-rich food.
From Jen Rose Smith
<strong>Dozens of dates: </strong>Jordan produces many of the world's medjool dates, but there are dozens of varieties that vary in size, sweetness and flavor. In this market in Amman, dates are for sale next to tender figs and dried apricots.<br />
Dozens of dates: Jordan produces many of the world's medjool dates, but there are dozens of varieties that vary in size, sweetness and flavor. In this market in Amman, dates are for sale next to tender figs and dried apricots.
From Jen Rose Smith
<strong>A different kind of hummus: </strong>Richer than the plain variety, fattet hummus is blended with bread and tahini. This version, at Hashem Restaurant in Amman, is topped with slivered almonds, minced green onions and fresh olive oil.
A different kind of hummus: Richer than the plain variety, fattet hummus is blended with bread and tahini. This version, at Hashem Restaurant in Amman, is topped with slivered almonds, minced green onions and fresh olive oil.
From Jen Rose Smith
<strong>Sesame bread for sale: </strong>You can find sesame bread for sale on the sidewalks of Amman and elsewhere. The leavened breads come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and are often sold by weight.<br />
Sesame bread for sale: You can find sesame bread for sale on the sidewalks of Amman and elsewhere. The leavened breads come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and are often sold by weight.
From Jen Rose Smith
<strong>Fresh juices: </strong>Garlands of fresh pomegranates and oranges decorate an Amman juice stand. Order a cup to go, or join the crowd of locals drinking juice from heavy-bottomed glass mugs.<br />
Fresh juices: Garlands of fresh pomegranates and oranges decorate an Amman juice stand. Order a cup to go, or join the crowd of locals drinking juice from heavy-bottomed glass mugs.
From Jen Rose Smith
<strong>Pistachios in pastry:</strong> Running through the heart of Amman, King Hussein Street is lined with some of the city's most beloved pastry shops. Here, a tender layer of pastry tops bright green pistachios, which have been grown in the Middle East for thousands of years.<br />
Pistachios in pastry: Running through the heart of Amman, King Hussein Street is lined with some of the city's most beloved pastry shops. Here, a tender layer of pastry tops bright green pistachios, which have been grown in the Middle East for thousands of years.
From Jen Rose Smith
<strong>Dating back to medieval Baghdad:</strong> At Beit Sitti Cooking School in Amman, students prepare maqluba, or ma'aloubeh, that's spiced with cinnamon, black pepper and turmeric. Recipes for the dish, whose name translates to "upside down," appear in a cookbook from medieval Baghdad, when the city was renowned for fine cuisine.
Dating back to medieval Baghdad: At Beit Sitti Cooking School in Amman, students prepare maqluba, or ma'aloubeh, that's spiced with cinnamon, black pepper and turmeric. Recipes for the dish, whose name translates to "upside down," appear in a cookbook from medieval Baghdad, when the city was renowned for fine cuisine.
Beit Sitti Cook and Dine
<strong>So many nuts and seeds: </strong>Piles of roasted nuts and seeds are for sale in an Amman market. The popular snacks come in sweet and savory varieties, and are roasted on-site in metal tumblers.<br />
So many nuts and seeds: Piles of roasted nuts and seeds are for sale in an Amman market. The popular snacks come in sweet and savory varieties, and are roasted on-site in metal tumblers.
From Jen Rose Smith
<strong>Sharing tea:</strong> This custom is an important part of Jordanian culture, from bustling Amman cafes to Bedouin tents in Petra and Wadi Rum. Bedouin pots of tea are often brewed with sage, then sweetened with several handfuls of sugar. <br />
Sharing tea: This custom is an important part of Jordanian culture, from bustling Amman cafes to Bedouin tents in Petra and Wadi Rum. Bedouin pots of tea are often brewed with sage, then sweetened with several handfuls of sugar.
From Jen Rose Smith