Mediterranean Street Food

Mediterranean street food is a combination of cuisines from Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Italy, just to name a few. It is a type of street food, which is more of a combination of cooking styles, ingredients and techniques from the Mediterranean that has become what is known today as Mediterranean cuisine. It can be found at many street vendors throughout these regions and in the U.S., and it is generally believed to be one of the healthier cuisines available.

Mediterranean street food has become easier to find as it continues to grow in popularity. It is typically healthier than standard street food, and many dishes begin with onions, garlic, tomatoes and olive oil. Fresh herbs popular in Mediterranean street food include basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, dill, fennel, rosemary and oregano. These herbs go very well with seafood, which is at the core of Mediterranean cooking and street food. Seafood is found in soups, stews and pastas and anchovies, sole, flounder and grouper are some of the most widely enjoyed. Other fish in the region are monkfish, eel, cuttlefish, swordfish, squid and octopus.

Authentic Mediterranean street food rarely includes beef because the land can’t support large herds, but it does have similar offerings. Animals such as lamb, goat, sheep, pork, rabbit and fowl provide the types of meat that are used in street food cooking. These meats are used to make gyros, sliders and kebabs. Goats and sheep provide dairy for cheeses and yogurts and they are used to create sauces and flavor dishes.

In the U.S., patrons enjoy more beef offerings, and cities like Los Angeles and New York City are enjoying more Mediterranean street food than ever before. It is served in restaurants and by street vendors, and offerings include Greek yogurt, roasted eggplant, fried seafood, shrimp, falafel and stuffed grape leaves. More restaurants are serving this type of food, which gives patrons a chance to sit down and relax while they enjoy the different flavors that Mediterranean street food has to offer. Mediterranean marketplaces are also starting to emerge in the U.S., and they offer a variety of fresh ingredients, such as smoked salmon, fresh fruits and vegetables, lamb dinners and much more.

While Mediterranean street food is becoming more available in the U.S., there is still no substitute for enjoying the experience of authentic street food found in the Mediterranean regions. There are many unique and flavorful offerings to try depending on the region you are visiting, and it’s a healthier alternative to other street foods.