My blogger friend Amanda writes the fabulous travel and food blog MarocMama. She lives in Morocco with her husband and two kids, and can help you plan the most incredible trip there! (don’t miss her stunning instagram feed!)
Every time I browse her recipes, my mouth starts to water and I vow to make more Moroccan cuisine for my family. I am a firm believer that parents need to keep introducing new flavors and textures to kids (especially to the picky-eaters!). Friends have told me that it’s “too hard” at meal times to get nutritious food into their kids, and too stressful to try to wrestle their toddlers to try new food. I don’t think the dinner table should be a battle… but I do believe it’s important for kids to try different cuisines so their palate will be more open to choices beyond goldfish and chicken nuggets. I had so much fun scouring the MarocMama web site for 10 Moroccan snacks that would be easy dishes for first-timers or picky eaters to just taste (just a bite!). I think even the most discerning tummies will enjoy these unique Moroccan snacks that Amanda has created- and you can create too at home with your kids:
Sweet Moroccan Snacks
Sfinge: Fried Yeast Moroccan Doughnuts
I don’t know many kids who would not like fried dough with sugar :). My kids loved the Maori Fried Bread from New Zealand we made, and the fried, sweet Chiacchiere from Italy- isn’t it amazing that these 3 cultures (and many others) around the world have similar dishes? These Moroccan snacks could be an easy way “in” to global cuisine for picky eaters- a delicious taste for first-timers to try.
Ghriba: Moroccan Cookies
Cookies are a universal treat! Wouldn’t it be fun to host an international tea party with these delicious Moroccan snacks? These would pair exceptionally well with Moroccan tea (simple recipe here!). I love that these cookies include some new tastes (like ginger, sesame, and rosewater), but some familiar flavors our kids might have already tried like vanilla and lemon.
Mhncha “Snake” Cookies
The surprise ingredient here is the fragrant orange blossom water! Kids will like that these rolled up cookies are coiled up to resemble a snake. Not overly sweet, these cookies would make great Moroccan snacks for an after school day at the park!
Moroccan Haroset
This paste of fruit and nuts eaten at Passover seders, especially in Moroccan Jewish communities. I am putting in on my list of snacks for swim meets and soccer games because it is packed with healthy energy: dried fruits, almonds, and honey. These Moroccan snacks are packed with yummy goodness!
Cinnamon Morrocan Orange Salad
This looks so refreshing! The spiced citrus would be the perfect Moroccan snack for kids to gobble up with their hands. Only 3 ingredients means the kids could make it all by themselves and serve it to friends or family.
Moroccan Drinks for Kids
Moroccan Almond Date Milk
We made this one for our kids a couple of weeks ago, and I told them it was like a milkshake or smoothie. They really, really liked it and asked for more (which I count as a win!). I love that it is so nutritious and packed with whole foods instead of refined sugars. Moroccan snacks can be healthy and quick to make!
Moroccan Avocado Almond Smoothie
The world is divided into two camps with regards to avocados: those that eat them sweet, and those that deem them salty/savory. In Mexico and the US, there’s salty guacamole. In Ethiopia, Brazil, and Morocco, avocados are often made into sweet drinks! (I know, mind-blowing for those in the salty mode). This avocado drink might be pushing the boundaries of picky eaters, but if they can try just a sip, I would consider it a success.
Salty Moroccan Snacks
B’Ssara: Fava Bean Soup
Eaten more like a dip with bread, this pulse of fava beans, garlic and spices is reminiscent (at least for kids) of hummus. Kids generally like to dip things, and generally like bread, so trying b’ssara won’t be too much of a stretch for them. My daughter absolutely loves this type of snack, and I’m happy to provide this extra protein to my little vegetarian.
Ma’akouda : The Moroccan French Fry
Did someone say French fry? Even though most Moroccans wouldn’t eat these as a snack, I think it would be a great way for kids to try something new (at least new-ish!). These potato pancakes or potato fritters are a popular street food yet easy enough to enjoy at home.
Harsha
I couldn’t decide if this should be sweet or savory, because this flatbread could be eaten with cheese or with honey. Either way, bread is an easy way to win kids’ hearts (and tummies) and is often their first favorite “global cuisine.”
Have I missed your favorite Moroccan snacks? What would you add to the list? Have your kids tried any global cuisine lately? Let us know in the comments, and please share! 🙂
What do you think? I love to hear from my readers:).