1. Chapter 31 Middle East and Africa
Note: This chapter covers the geography, climate, culture, and cuisine of the Middle East, Israel, and Africa. This presentation displays the text objective related to each of these topics, followed by information to help students achieve the objective.

2. Middle Eastern Food Customs
Discuss: What animals other than swine are forbidden in Muslim diets? What beverages are popular in the Middle East? What is the name of the bread commonly served with tabbouleh?
Eating pork and drinking alcoholic beverages is forbidden.
Bread is served at every meal.
Only the right hand is used to eat foods.

3. Israeli Food Customs
Most Israelis eat kosher foods, which are prepared according to Jewish dietary laws.
Dairy foods and meat cannot be cooked or eaten together.
Holiday food traditions include the Passover Seder, in which each food has a special symbolism.
Discuss: What types of animals are considered fit to eat according to Jewish dietary laws? What are the names used for dairy foods and meat in Jewish dietary laws? What are some of the symbolic foods served at a Passover Seder?

4. African Food Customs
Africans traditionally eat only a midday meal and an evening meal.
Africans often serve meals on low tables with seating on pillows, the floor, or folded carpets.
Africans eat most foods with their fingers.
Discuss: What foods are typically served for an African meal? How is food generally served at African meals?
National Chicken Council

5. Geography and Climate of the Middle East
Arid deserts that cover much of this region are suitable only for grazing animals.
Rivers that run through the Middle East provide fertile farmland along their banks.
Much of the Middle East is hot and dry, requiring irrigation for crop production.
Discuss: What types of animals are commonly herded in the Middle East? What types of crops grow in Middle Eastern areas where there are irrigation systems or sufficient rainfall?

6. Middle Eastern Culture
The rise and fall of ancient empires created cultural and culinary exchanges.
Islam is the primary religion and has a great impact on lifestyle and food choices.
Many Middle Eastern holidays are Muslim celebrations that include food rituals.
Discuss: What are the four greatest ancient Middle Eastern empires? What book of sacred writings outlines Islamic food laws? What names are used to identify foods that are lawful and forbidden according to the Islamic religion? What are some food traditions that are part of Muslim holidays?

7. Geography and Climate of Israel
Northern Israel contains a fertile coastal plain and farmable valleys, but southern Israel is a desert.
The semiarid land is suitable for raising sheep and certain cattle breeds.
Lack of rainfall between May and October makes irrigation necessary for the production of crops.
Discuss: What countries form Israel’s northern border? What is the name of the desert that lies in southern Israel?

8. Israeli Culture
Many Israeli people are members of communal settlements called kibbutzim.
Most citizens are Jewish, and Jewish holidays are an important part of the culture.
Jews came to Israel from over 80 countries, giving Israel a multinational cuisine.
Discuss: What are the characteristics of property ownership, wages, and social services in a kibbutz? What are some Jewish holidays?

9. Climate and Geography of Africa
A subtropical climate in the extreme northern and southern regions is suitable for growing grains.
Tropical, humid sections in central and western Africa produce a variety of agricultural products.
Broad grassland areas above and below the equator have poor soil, making farming difficult.
Discuss: What are some of the agricultural products produced in Africa’s tropical regions? What causes the soil in the grasslands to be unsuitable for raising crops?

10. African Culture
European countries colonized much of Africa, and European influence is seen in many African dishes.
Islamic dietary restrictions affect the cuisines in African nations that are largely Muslim.
Most Africans do not have refrigerators, so cooks rely on markets or gardens for fresh ingredients.
Discuss: What is an example of an African dish that reflects European influence? What are some Islamic dietary restrictions?
Dan Gudahl © Heifer International

11. Middle Eastern Cuisine
Garlic, lemon, green pepper, eggplant, and tomato are basic Middle Eastern ingredients.
Middle Eastern cooks make liberal use of spices.
Classic dishes include felafel, pilav, tabbouleh, Turkish shish kebab, and Iranian chelo kebab.
Discuss: What are some of the spices commonly used by Arab cooks? What common Middle Eastern grains and legumes are used to make felafel? What is the main ingredient in pilav? For what part of the meal is tabbouleh usually served? What staple meat is used to make shish kebab and chelo kebab?

12. Israeli Cuisine
Traditional Jewish dishes include kreplach, challah, and blintzes.
Some Israeli foods, such as felafel, originated in other Middle Eastern countries.
Cooks have used native foods to create dishes that are unique to Israel.
Discuss: What are some other traditional Jewish dishes? How is felafel typically served? What are some of the native fruits that have been used to create new Israeli dishes?
photo courtesy of Fleischmann’s Yeast

13. African Cuisine Characteristic dishes include Algerian mechoui
Ghanaian fufu
Ethiopian injera
Discuss: What European country influenced the foods of Algeria? What is the main ingredient in fufu? How does Ethiopian cuisine differ from that of neighboring African countries?
See final slide for photo credit