On the streets of Cairo, one of the most popular dishes you can order from a vendor is Hawashi. This minced meat stuffed inside of a pita is deceptively simple, but incredibly delicious. The thin bread of the pita combines with carefully seasoned meat to make a perfect, unique, sandwich.

After the food is combined, the food is then baked until the outside is golden, crisp and crunchy. This makes an extraordinary combination of flavors and textures while enjoying this food.

Compared to many other popular menu items, these delicious snacks have relatively modern roots. The sandwich only goes back about as far as the 1930s, with the earliest evidence of its existence a receipt selling one.

The receipt is somewhat disputed however, with some saying the sandwich was invented as late as the 1970s. Either way, this sandwich was invented less than 100 years ago, while many other popular foods can go back thousands of years.

What is known about this sandwich is that it was invented by an Egyptian butcher, either by the name of Mohamed al-Hawawshi or Ahmed el-Hawawsh. At some point, this man chose to combine meat, onions and seasonings with the super thin pita like bread called baladi.

Baladi is the colloquial word that simply means ‘rural bread.’ It’s typically used for things like falafel and mashed fava beans—not for slicing up as sandwich. He began selling these thin sandwiches anyway, which quickly took off in popularity.

While there’s no doubt as to how good they are, it’s not entirely clear why he put these ingredients together. Baladi is a very thin bread and is usually not used with fillers. It was an innovation at the time and is still highly popular in Egypt as well as around the world.

Why Hawashi Is So Loved

At a glance, Hawashi is similar to other foods like gyros. What makes Hawashi so special? Here’s a quick rundown of reasons that may be behind its popularity.

Both Crisp and Juicy
Hawashi is stuffed and then baked. The outside is golden and crispy, the inside is bursting with juicy meat. This combination of flavors and textures make it very popular.

Affordable
Hawashi is made with simple, affordable ingredients. This means it doesn’t have the high price tags of some of the fancier foods out there, while still being just as delicious.

Flavorful
Hawashi is carefully seasoned to be as delicious as possible. Seasonings vary depending on the shop. They can include chili seasoning, paprika and cumin. At Aladdin’s Mediterranean restaurant, roasted red pepper sauce is a key ingredient.

In some locations, the bread is cooked on a grill and has a smokey flavor as well. Grilling Hawashi is a popular choice, and can change the flavor depending on what sort of wood is used.

Conclusion
Hawashi is a beloved snack food in Egypt, and is sold nearly everywhere both by street vendors and restaurants. If you want to experience a taste of Egypt, stop by Aladdin’s and try this wonderful, unusual, sandwich.

Eating healthy means eatings lots of fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods. One of the reasons food found in the Mediterranean area is so healthy is that it naturally includes a lot of healthy ingredients in those recipes.

When you consume a lot of fruits and vegetables however, there’s less room for meat on your plate. Most of the time, this is a good thing. Too much meat can lead to weight gain and may cause inflammation or other problems.

Meat is an important source of protein though, so how can you eat a plant-based diet and still get enough of this vital nutrient?

Meet the Legume
Legumes are things like lentils, peas and beans. They provide a lot of plant-based protein, and are a well-loved part of Mediterranean food. Just think about the last time you visited a Mediterranean restaurant. That Hummus and Falafel were packed with legumes.

Legumes are any bean or seed that grows inside of a fleshy pod. Peas and beans grow in pods, and so do chickpeas. Believe it or not, although many people think that peanuts are nuts, they’re actually legumes. The pod that hangs from the top of the plant buries itself in the soil when it’s done growing.

Although legumes may look very different from each other, they all have something in common—they’re packed with protein.
These proteins can help take the place of meats when you’re focused on a healthier, plant-based diet. Regardless of your preferred dietary style, from vegan to omnivore, legumes can be a very healthy addition to your diet.

Other Benefits of Legumes
Legumes have an incredible number of health benefits. They can protect you from Type 2 Diabetes, improve blood sugar and blood fat for those who do have diabetes, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. They can also help control weight and lower the risk of heart related problems.

That’s a lot of benefits!
Although studies have shown they help with all of these concerning health conditions, they’re also outright nutritious. Legumes contain fiber, protein, carbohydrate, B vitamins, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and phosphorous. They’re also naturally low in fat, and cholesterol free.

As part of a balanced diet, they are a fantastic option that brings so much to the table. Whether you like a rich chili, a heaping pile of peas, or hummus, eating legumes is a great way to invest in your health.

How to Get More Legumes
Legumes are easy to include in a healthy diet. Remember that wonderful Hummus and Falafel? Simply ordering those the next time you head over to Aladdin’s can be a great way to give your body a nutritious boost.
As little as one helping of legumes a week could be enough for you to see improvements in your own health. If you love Mediterranean food and can’t wait to tuck into your favorite dishes, use your health as a great reason to stop by Aladdin’s weekly.