Mediterranean Food Near Me
In recent years, Americans have been embracing Mediterranean food with unabashed aplomb. From the beloved Mediterranean diet to the sudden surge of Greek restaurants, this cuisine is truly having a moment. Given just how delicious and healthful Mediterranean food, don’t expect the popularity of this cuisine to diminish anytime in the near future.
Are you interested in finding Mediterranean food near you? Simply browse Mediterranean food near me on the map below and find a list of Mediterranean food restaurants near you. Need a bit more information on Mediterranean food? Read on for interesting facts, trivia, and more!
Mediterranean Food Near Me – Find it on the Map
Mediterranean Food Near Me – Mediterranean Food Trivia
True or false: The concept of Mediterranean cuisine is very recent.
While individuals in the Mediterranean region of the world have been dining on what we considered Mediterranean food for thousands of years, the formal concept of a dedicated cuisine is very recent. Consider these facts as you search Mediterranean food near me. According to some food experts, the concept of Mediterranean cuisine probably first arose in 1950 with the publication of the book “A Book of Mediterranean Food” by Elizabeth David. Even though David never explicitly used the phrase “Mediterranean cuisine” she did speak of of the Mediterranean way of cooking or preparing food. Mediterranean food is incredibly popular and includes a vast array of dishes, many of which you may not have realized are Mediterranean in origin. Everything from pasta, pizza, sausage, wine, gyros, kebab and falafel fall under the umbrella of Mediterranean food. The ingredients used in Mediterranean cuisine are much different than those of the cuisines found in Northern Europe. For example, dishes are prepared with olive oil instead of butter, wine instead of beer, fish instead of poultry or beef. The list of available ingredients used in the Mediterranean has also changed over time, as many new foods were introduced to the region by the Arabs during the middle ages. These foods include aubergines, spinach, rice, apricots, and citrus fruits.
Mediterranean food is often rich with fruits, veggies, and fish.
How healthy is the Mediterranean diet?
While some experts may argue that you should never confuse Mediterranean cuisine with the fad Mediterranean diet, they do both share some major similarities. As you search for Mediterranean food near me, consider how this diet could just help you to live a better and more fulfilling life. Not only do dietary experts and doctors agree that eating a Mediterranean style diet can reduce the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular ailments, but it has also been shown to decrease the risk of certain types of cancers. Mediterranean diets are rich in plant based foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Better is replaced with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil and herbs and spices are used to flavor foods rather than salt. In addition, Mediterranean cuisine is not heavy on read meat, which is rarely consumed in the actual Mediterranean region. Instead, most individuals who hail from the area or follow the diet will dine on fish or poultry as their main source of healthy protein. Not only is the Mediterranean diet healthy, but so is the Mediterranean way of life. This means drinking a glass of red wine with dinner or lunch, enjoying meals with family or friends, and getting plenty of sun and exercise.
Mediterranean Food Near Me – Mediterranean Food Facts
Introducing Grains
While individuals in America are often very carbohydrate conscious, often giving up bread or anything grain related, Mediterranean food is often very bread heavy. Grains that grow in the Mediterranean region are typically of the whole grain variety and don’t often contain trans fats or any other unhealthy components. Bread is a very important part of the diet in the Mediterranean, however, unlike in the US, bread is not slathered in butter or other heavy spreads. Instead, bread is either eaten plain or dipped in olive oil or a similar herbed oil. They do not use butters or margarines which are often laden with saturated fats that can be bad for the body. Nuts are another essential part of Mediterranean cuisine. As you search Mediterranean food near me, you’ll quickly find that nuts are a huge component. Despite the fact that nuts are high in fat, most of the fat is not saturated. Though nuts are high in calories, most in the Mediterranean will eat a handful a day, often avoiding any candied or salted nuts in favor of dry the dry roasted variety.
The Inspired Diet
As you search Mediterranean food near me, you’ll find that many countries have inspired and contributed to what we now know as Mediterranean cuisine. Many of these cultures have developing habits and food for thousands of years. In Europe, parts of Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Southern France are considered believes in the Mediterranean diet. Some parts of Morocco and Tunisia are also considered contributors to this cuisine. Since the Mediterranean region is warm and sunny, it produces large supplies of vegetables and fruits year round. Wine, bread, nuts, legumes, and olive oil are also common staples of the cuisine. The Mediterranean sea is historically very abundant with fish. This means that fish is often a vital component of the cuisine. Most meals are shared family style in the Mediterranean region, as food is seen as a social event rather than just another way to fuel your day.
