Tourist Photo Post: Food, the Dessert Version

Today's post will probably be my favorite because it's all about food. The food here has been exquisite: we have all stuffed ourselves silly, and it has crossed my mind more than once that Nathan and I should just find jobs and move here so I don't have to learn to cook any of this. So here goes, in no particular order.

Say hello to the fig. It is sweet, juicy and delicious and so wretchedly hard to find fresh in the US that I want to cry. I am tempted to sue Newton for committing grievous bodily harm against this delicious fruit by forcing it into a horrible fig Newton.

These photos are of Kalamata figs, which can be unpeeled (slightly difficult) or eaten whole. The inside is sweet and has a delicious runny center. Figs are extremely hard to find in the US, and I can't bring any back with me. I love them.

These figs were grown on trees watered with reclaimed wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant here on campus. And before you go "Yuck!" you should know that studies showed that the figs from these trees contained fewer contaminants than figs purchased at the produce market.

An Unpeeled Fig

A Peeled Fig

Inside of a Fig

These cacti were also watered with reclaimed wastewater from campus. They produce a red prickly pear that can be peeled and eaten. The fruit is also sweet, and slightly mushy, and you have to swallow the seeds whole because they are tight and hard to chew. I love these cacti.

Joe Celebrating the Cactus

This is a dish called kenafeh. The base is a cheese, layered with melted butter and covered with a crispy rice noodle and crushed pistachios. It is sweet and extremely tasty, and thanks to our TA, I have a source for this delicious dessert in the US.

Maggie's Holding the Kenafah

Another interesting dessert here is Syrian ice cream. Rather than churning it in the typical American fashion, they pound the dickens out of it, which produces a smoother, less creamy texture. The ice cream is then rolled in crushed pistachios before it is served.

Syrian Ice Cream

And finally, I haven't been able to clarify whether the Arabic word limon means lime or lemon, but either way, they make a delicious limeade or lemonade that is mixed with crushed mint. It is not too sweet, very tasty, and very minty.

Ornwipa Posing with Her Limeade/Lemonade