Libyan cuisine is the cooking traditions, practices, foods and dishes associated with the country of Libya. The cuisine derives much from the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean and North Africa, with an Italian influence, a legacy from the days when Libya was an Italian colony. One of the most popular Libyan dishes is a thick highly-spiced soup, known simply as Sharba Libiya[1], or Libyan soup. Sharba Libiya contains many of the ingredients of many other Libyan dishes, including onions, tomatoes, lamb (or chicken), chilies, cayenne pepper, saffron, chickpeas, mint, cilantro and parsley. [2] Pork consumption is forbidden in accordance with Sharia, religious laws of Islam.[3] Tripoli is Libya's capital, and the cuisine here is particularly influenced by Italian cuisine.[3] Pasta is common, and many seafood dishes are available.[3] Southern Libya cuisine is more traditionally Arab.[3] Common fruits and vegetables include figs, dates, oranges, apricots and olives.[3]
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Bazin is a common Libyan food made with barley flour and a little plain flour, which is then formed into a rounded, smooth dome placed in the middle of the dish. The sauce around the dough is made by frying chopped onions with lamb meat, adding turmeric, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, fenugreek, sweet paprika, and tomato paste. Potatoes may also be added, eggs are boiled and arranged around the dish, and the dish is often served with lemon and fresh or pickled chillies known as amsayar. Batata mubattana (filled potato) is another popular dish in Libyan cuisine that consists of fried potato pieces filled with spiced minced meat and covered with egg and breadcrumbs.
Additional common foods and dishes include:
All alcoholic drinks have been banned in Libya since 1969[3], in accordance with Sharia, religious laws of Islam. However, consuming alcohol is comparatively common, especially a locally produced distilled spirit called boha, which is often sold on the black market. The exact composition and strength of boha varies from maker to maker, and even from batch to batch, but it is often distilled from strawberries or raw sugar. It is commonly consumed diluted with soft drinks, especially bitter Kas which can disguise its sometimes unpleasant taste, and reduce the smell of alcohol on the drinker's breath.
Libyan tea is a thick beverage served in a small glass, often accompanied by peanuts.[3] Regular American/British coffee is available and in Libya is known as "Nescafé" (a misnomer). Soft drinks and bottled water are also consumed.[3] Mint tea is also a popular drink.
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