Veggie in Tunisia - ideas, tips, info appreciated
Replies: 8 - Last Post: May 7, 2012 12:02 AM Last Post By: Tunisia_Expat
jump to
Veggie in Tunisia - ideas, tips, info appreciated
I'm very excited to visit Tunisia, but have been able to find very little on what veggie food options may be available. I'm vegan and my kids are vegetarian (they don't eat fish, just to clarify). Just about everything I have read suggests that we will have a hard time as most of their standard cuisine has meat, eggs or tuna in it. Does anyone have any encouragement to offer us before we set off? I'd love to hear from others about how they got by and if there are any dishes in particular that may work for us.We plan to be off the beaten path, not staying in one of the beach resort areas, but rather traveling about. We're going to start in Tunis, but also plan to travel to the desert areas and the main Star Wars sights. Altogether, we plan to be in the country for two weeks.
I've traveled widely as a vegan and have never had a problem making do and finding food to eat, even in meat-centric places like Kazakhstan and Argentina. But something about Tunisia has me worried on the food front.
Thank you for any information you can share!
Cheers,
Jenn
2
Hi,One of my favourite Tunisian dishes is Mechouia (pronounced meshwaya), which is a salad of mashed up roasted vegetables. Sounds a little odd and doesn't look amazing but tastes fantastic. Can be quite spicy though the heat level varies. It's often served with tuna and eggs, though these are a garnish so check first and you should be able to ask for it without.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
3
Check this for a few suggestions and tips to get started http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Tunisia#Eat_.26_Drink4
It is easy being vegetarian here in Tunisia. Macarona (pasta) comes with tomato sauce and harissa and can have fish/meat/chicken. Just ask for it without - easy? I'm a vegetarian and I live here. You can have loads of fantastic salads, vegetarian couscousie, vegetable soups.........the list is endless. Enjoy it5
Thanks for the replies. I do feel better about my/our eating options in Tunisia. I guess I'm also a bit concerned about communication because I don't speak Arabic or French, but I'm going to have our dietary restrictions written down in those languages so hopefully I can get our request across. :-)I am one of those "strict" veggies who doesn't want to eat any meat/chicken/fish broth either, so I'm always a bit leary of veggie soups. Sometimes on first glance it may seem veggie, but it might be made with meat ingredients. When in doubt, I opt for "safer" items.
Will I be able to find things like hummus in Tunisia?
Again, I appreciate your suggestions, ideas and feedback!
Cheers,
Jenn
6
No hummus.I had a few veggie friends in Tunisia. They found out that people, outside of main tourist areas, generally have no idea what it means to be vegetarian. As in, they don´t know about the differences with eggs, fish, etc. If they put ¨just a little bit¨of meat, they think veggies ¨won´t mind¨. Just some warnings!
7
Hi If you have visited Tunis by now, do let me know how easy was it to travel with children. I am planning a trip with a 3 year old and we will be travelling independently. Do not want to take any risks and chances - i know Morocco is easy to work through with kids but no clear knowledge on Tunisia.8
here is an article about being a vegetarian in Tunisiahttp://www.tunisia-live.net/2012/05/06/vegetarian-tunisia-a-survival-guide/
ADVERTISEMENT
Hotels & Hostels
-
Book now
-
Casablanca Le Lido Thalasso & Spa - formerly Riad Sala
Casablanca(4 star Hotel)
From US$134.14 per night
Book now
-
Book now