I have a confession to make: I was a two-in-one hair product hater for most of my life. Maybe it’s because I never thought a product like that could work for my type 3a curls or because I knew it got on my brothers’ nerves when I teased them about using it, but regardless, I […]
Long before I started to cook, I knew how important it was to spice up your life… courtesy of Baby, Scary, Sporty, Ginger, and Posh. Gratuitous Spice Girls mention aside, in terms of spice in the culinary sense, I actually only began to make my own meals when I moved to Tel Aviv after college. I was fortunate enough to live a few blocks away from Shuk HaCarmel—the city’s famous open-air food market—and one of the first spices I added to my pantry was za’atar: a delicious, earthy blend I enjoyed in some of my favorite Middle Eastern dishes.
Truth be told, I never really thought about which spices za’atar contained, or what benefits a shake here and a dash there could offer. But in the spirit of revisiting my early cooking memories and to cover the basics for those who haven’t tried za’atar themselves, I asked Rachael Hartley, RD, LD, dietitian and author of Gentle Nutrition, to share a few essential insights. And later: a few recipes that I hope will inspire you to check out za’atar on your own foodie adventures.
What is za’atar spice?
“Za’atar is a spice mixture made with the herbal plant za’atar—or thyme or oregano, which are closely related—mixed with sesame seeds, sumac, and salt,” Hartley says. She reiterates that za’atar is commonly used in cuisines across the Mediterranean and Middle East, noting that different cultures (and cooks within each culture) typically employ variations to make their own unique blends.
As for the taste, Hartley describes it as “herbal and a bit lemony from the sumac with a nutty, earthy bite from the toasted sesame seeds.” (And with that, my mouth is officially watering.) “My favorite way to use za’atar is as a garnish, to boost the flavor of foods after cooking,” Hartley adds. “A simple way to enjoy za’atar is sprinkled over hummus, giving a simple spread a bit of a flavor boost. It’s also delicious baked over pita, sprinkled over a salad or grain bowl, or on roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or seafood,” she says.
Health benefits of za’atar
“Since za’atar is consumed in small amounts, it’s not an ingredient that provides significant quantities of vitamins and minerals,” Hartley explains. Although a sprinkle of it every so often won’t pack the same nutrient-dense punch as, say, a berry spinach smoothie you sip on daily, that doesn’t mean that the spice blend is void of nutritional value. In fact, quite the opposite, considering the anti-inflammatory
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