Israeli pita

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This article is about the Israeli flatbread. For airspeed measurement device, see Pitot Tube.
Israeli pita (pitot)
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Israeli pita (pitot)
Alternative namesIsraeli pitta, pitot, pitotim, pita
TypeFlatbread
Place of originIsrael
Created byIsraelis[1][2]
Main ingredientsFlour, water, yeast, olive oil, kosher salt

Israeli pita, also known as pitot, Israeli pitta, or simply pita, is the Israeli version of pita flatbread that is commonly served with hummus and other dips, or as a sandwich bread stuffed with sabich, falafel, chicken schnitzel, shawarma, or other fillings. Israeli pita is commonly found in Israel, as well as in the United States, and at restaurants offering Jewish and Israeli cuisine worldwide.[3]

Overview[]

Israeli pita baking in a wood-fired oven.

“Anyone who has been to Israel or any Israeli restaurant with house-made pita knows what I’m talking about — a thick, spongy, warm little loaf that has a perfectly sized pocket that maintains its composure as you stuff it full of falafel.”

— Molly Yeh[4], The Forward

Differences from other flatbreads and pitas[]

Israeli pita filled with shawarma.

Israeli pita is different from other flatbread and pitas in several ways. Israeli pita is generally softer,[5] thicker and doughier than other flatbreads, and it always contains a pocket.[6] Israeli pita is generally thicker than other pitas.[7] Many Arab and Greek pitas are not as soft as Israeli pita, and are typically thinner or do not contain a pocket. The pocket of the pita has “thick walls”, which are unique to Israeli pita,[4] and help Israeli pita be sturdy enough for its signature fillings such as sabich, falafel, shawarma and chicken schnitzel, among others.[3]

Texture[]

Israeli pita typically has a soft, fluffy texture.

Israeli pita has a soft, fluffy, texture that has been described as pillowy[8] and is traditionally served fresh from the oven (typically a wood-fired oven similar to a pizza oven).[3]

Serving[]

Israeli pita served with hummus topped with shakshuka.

Israeli pita is traditionally served fresh, best either after baking or on the same day, and is served warm.[3]

Use[]

A falafel sandwich, which is most commonly served in an Israeli pita.

Israeli pita is served fresh,[9] warm, and toasted for use in a variety of sandwiches, such as falafel, sabich, chicken schnitzel, shawarma, brik, and many more. As well as with a wide array of dips such as hummus, baba ghanoush, muhammara, zhoug, , ikra and even just with olive oil. It is also traditionally served in Israel as part of an Israeli breakfast, as well as with shakshouka or menemen. It is commonly served with eggs for breakfast. It is also sometimes served with cottage cheese.

Popularity[]

A restaurant in Haifa offering sandwiches consisting of Israeli pita filled with falafel.

Israeli pita is one of, if not the most popular bread in Israel. It is an essential part of Israeli cuisine, and can be served for every meal and every occasion, and can be found on the menu at most restaurants, bakeries, market stalls, and food trucks across Israel. As it contains no animal products, it is inherently pareve and can be served with fleishig or milchig meals accordingly by to kashrut.[3]

In popular culture[]

Israeli pita with an advertisement printed on it promoting Shas, a Haredi religious political party, for the 2015 elections.
  • In the Israeli comedy series Beauty and the Baker, main character Amos Dahari (played by Aviv Alush) works at his family's Israeli pita bakery in a working-class city outside of Tel Aviv, when he falls in love with celebrity heiress, actress and socialist Noa Hollander (played by Rotem Sela).
  • Israeli pita is featured prominently in the American documentary film “ on PBS.
  • Israeli pita is referred to in the name of the 1974 album by the Israeli rock band Kaveret, Poogy in a Pita.

References[]

  1. ^ Marks, Rabbi Gil. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food.
  2. ^ Solomonov, Michael. Israeli Soul. HMH.
  3. ^ a b c d e Solomonov, Mike. Zahav. HMH.
  4. ^ a b Yeh, Molly. "Pita-Fresh From Your Oven". The Forward. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Israeli Pita Bread". Olive Oil and Lemons. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  6. ^ "Inside Israeli Pita". Humus 101. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Israeli Pita". Moti's Iraqi Cuisine. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ Goldfield, Hannah (30 April 2018). "Miznon Secures Pita Primacy at Chelsea Market (restaurant Review)". The New Yorker. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  9. ^ Gross, Samantha J. (March 21, 2017). "How to make the best Israeli pita bread: ingredients, method and tips". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2019-10-27.

See also[]

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