On Israel's Independence Day, Israelis pack their picnic baskets with charcoal, lots of meat, salads, pita bread and humus. The country's parks are dotted with families outdoors barbecuing and enjoying "The Land." Even if you can't picnic in Israel this year, you can still enjoy a traditional Israel Independence Day meal.
1. Hummus
Giora Shimoni
Hummus, made from garbanzo beans (a.k.a. chickpeas), is served as an appetizer, side dish or main course in Israel. Today grocery stores in Israel sell a variety of Hummus spreads (with pine nuts, with olive oil and paprika, with zaatar, with tahina...). Hummus tastes best when scooped up by a piece of warm Pita bread.
2. Matboucha
Giora Shimoni
Matboucha, a traditional Moroccan dish, is so popular in Israel that it can be found right next to the Hummus on Israeli grocery store shelves. Once you make it yourself, you won't want to settle for store-bought Matboucha anymore. My neighbor in Israel, Carmit, came over and showed me how to make this spicy Matboucha recipe.
3. Stuffed Eggplant Dip
Invite over friends, put on some Israel music, and celebrate Israel together with this festive Stuffed Eggplant Dip. It requires a bit of chopping and sauteing, but the finished dish is well worth the effort.4. Festive Israeli Salad
Giora Shimoni
Whether eating in Israel in a restaurant or in someone's home, you are likely to find some version of this finely diced, tomato-cucumber based salad.
5. Tabbouleh Salad
Giora Shimoni
Tabbouleh Salad, a combination of bulgar wheat, vegetables and herbs, is a light, tangy and refreshing salad that is especially popular in the homes of Sephardic Jews. For a Sabbath appetizer, serve Tabbouleh on individual plates on top of a piece of lettuce. For a summer cookout, serve Tabbouleh Salad as a side dish next to Shish Kebabs.
6. Shish Kabob Marinade
This marinade, provided by Paula Levine Weinstein and Julie Komerofsky Remer, is great for chicken, beef and fish. For a healthier marinade, the oil can be omitted.7. E.T.'s Honey Marinade
Everyone in our neighborhood in Israel knows to call E.T. with marinade questions. I like E.T.'s Honey Marinade best on boneless chicken thighs (pargiot in Hebrew), but E.T. says this marinade works well on any poultry.8. Cold Macaroni Salad for Kids
Giora Shimoni
This child-friendly Macaroni Salad can be the starchy side dish on your barbecue menu. While this simple pasta salad can be easily dressed up with cherry tomatoes, red onion, broccoli, carrots or other raw vegetables, my kids prefer it plain.
9. Peacock Vegetables
I like to make these Peacock Vegetables whenever we invite guests over for a barbecue. The dish can be prepared earlier in the day, but baked just 20 minutes before the festive meal. This refreshing dish can be served with meat and to a large crowd.10. Mediterranean Zucchini
Giora Shimoni
Once I ate this Mediterranean Zucchini at my neighbor's Israel Independence Day party, and since then I serve it every Yom HaAtzmaut too. It is a pareve dish that goes well with either meat or dairy meals. It is healthy, colorful and delicious. And to me it tastes like Israel.
