MOROCCO-The Land of God

 

 

 

This week we are exploring Mysterious Morocco. A country rich in history, diverse in cultural influence, full of wonderful spices, and one of my favorite cuisines! Morocco, also known as the Land of God, is a country that can be found in North Africa on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and it borders east Spain and Algeria. Morocco is the only country in Africa that is not a part of the African Union, but it is a member of several other unions and leagues.

                                      

Morocco has been in existence for a long time, they say that in has been occupied since at least 8000 BC; as time went on, all of North Africa started to get to know the world through the Phoenician trading colonies. The entire area was considered prime land because it was within the borders of the Roman Empire. The flag of Morocco is made of a red field with a black-bordered green pentagram. Red has considerable historic significance in Morocco, proclaiming the descent of the royal Alaouite family from the Prophet Muhammad via Fatima, the wife of Ali, the fourth Muslim Caliph. Red is also the color that was used by the Sherifs of Mecca and the Imams of Yemen. From the 17th century on, when Morocco was ruled by the Alaouite Dynasty, the flags of the country were plain red. In 1915, during the reign of Mulay Yusuf, the green interlaced pentangle was added to the national flag. While Morocco was under French and Spanish control, the red flag with the seal in the center remained in use, but only inland. Its use at sea was prohibited. When independence was restored in 1956, it once again became the national flag.
 

                                      

Islam was introduced into Morocco in  670 AD, years past and history took its course. Islam stayed on in the country and flourished. As time got closer to what we would call today, the powers that were in Europe saw potential in the country and many tried to get control; it was only with successful political maneuvering that a war was avoided, and that by letting the French basically take control of the country. A lot of people did not like that and eventually political parties started to pop up to fight for the independence of Morocco, the Sultan got kicked out of the country by the French but that was a bad move because it only brought a lot more people down on them for the cause of freedom and independence; it was only when things started to get violent that the sultan was allowed to return and negotiations for the country's independence started to take place. Today there is a celebration held on every August 20, it is called "the revolution of The King and the People" and it is to remember the time when they became free.

                                

 

It has now been over 50 years since Morocco got its independence and it trades with the United States and the European Union. The country has a constitutional monarchy and an elected parliament. Considering its history, it is doing well and moving up in the world as a nation. Morocco is the 57th largest country in the world, a little bigger than the state of California.

                                          

 

The climate is Mediterranean; Morocco is home to rich coastal plains and it also has some forests. You can find all kinds of wildlife in Morocco as well, there are over 454 species in the country. There is a vibrant Jewish population in the country, there are more Jews in Morocco then in any other Muslim country in the world, they went to Morocco after settling in Europe.  When it comes to different types of people living in the country, Morocco can be called diverse and rich in culture; it seems that this country has taken a little bit from everywhere.

 

 

                           

 

 

 

Did you know that Morocco has the most diversified food in the world? In Morocco you can find as traditional dishes, Berber, Spanish, Corsican, Moorish, African and Mediterranean food types. There is so much diversity because of the constant contact that this country has had with the outside world.

 

 

 

Known as the National Dish of Morocco worldwide, couscous has even been adopted by the French as a traditional dish. Initially a Berber pasta dish made of semolina, it dates back to the 9th Century. Couscous can be smothered with a variety of toppings, sweet and savory. Combinations include sweet almonds, sugar, and cinnamon to savory lamb tagine on top. However, the most common is a savory-sweet combo, including several vegetables, raisins, tons of onions, and even legumes. Yum!’

                                                                     

Moroccans really love to mix the savory and the sweet. This is also seen on this other Moroccan food staple: Tagines. Another delicious Berber dish, they receive their name from the special clay pots they are cooked in. This week we will cook two traditional dishes and the most popular beverage served in Morocco. We will prepare Chicken Pastilla, which is a very tasty and elaborate pastry made with Phyllo dough filled with layers of slow cooked chicken in spices, eggs, and almonds toasted with cinnamon and sugar. We will also prepare a vegetarian couscous dish with tons of veggies  including carrots, onions, zucchini, squash, and cabbage. This will all get washed down with delicious Moroccan Mint Tea! I cannot wait to get shopping tomorrow for all of our spices and delicious ingredients!