Marrakech FNA Market IMG_2161.JPG By: FrenchSelfCatering.com on Flickr via Creative Commons
Moroccan cuisine is renowned for its exciting range of rich flavours and textures. From sweet almond amlou, to hearty stews and casseroles; a holiday to Marrakech gives visitors the chance to sample an extraordinary range of dishes.
Morocco benefits from a great location, placed at a crossroads between Europe, Asia, the Arabic lands and the continent of Africa. As a result, it has enjoyed a rich stream of cultural influx over the centuries. In addition to this, Morocco’s history of imperial dynasties has seen fine cuisine exalted to something of an art form.
Marrakech By: James Temple on Flickr via Creative Commons
One of the most exciting things to do in Marrakech is to pay a visit to the bustling, chaotic Jemaa el Fna Market. Here visitors can explore through winding, labyrinthine markets, where fortune-tellers and healers ply their trade alongside cotton and silk traders, spice merchants and food stalls. You can enjoy varied street performers, as well as musicians and story tellers.
During the day, Jemaa el Fna Market is a great place to shop for bargains and souvenirs. Later in the evening however, the square fills up with food stalls. These begin to arrive as the sun sets, travelling from all around the city to set up shop at Jemaa el Fna.
The area surrounding Marrakech produces a large amount of rich produce, including vegetables, herbs, spices and soft fruits. Moroccan cuisine incorporates a wide range of exciting, and often unusual flavours as a result. Garlic, chillies, ginger and olives feature in many dishes, and most spice merchants offer their own trademark blends. These secret recipes are known as ‘ras el hanout’ (meaning ‘head of shop’), and can contain as many as thirty different spices.
Marrakech By frestivo on Flickr via Creative Commons
The food on offer at Jemaa el Fna Market ranges from the familiar, to some very exotic flavours. Deep fried eels are a popular snack, while roasted snails are considered a delicacy. Other popular dishes incorporate a wide range of unusual and exciting flavours; for example, try a whole chicken, slow roasted with olives, almonds and apricots for a succulent and sweet taste. Tagines are another common sight, earthenware pots used to cook spicy Moroccan stews. Grilled potato brochettes and spicy sausages represent the influences of Mediterranean cuisine, while warm chickpea salads, lentil soup and couscous infused with rose water offer a more uniquely Moroccan flavour.
Market outside Marrakech By: Liv Unni Sødem on Flickr via Creative Commons
Drinks available at Jemaa el Fna Market range from freshly squeezed orange juice, to fine wines and local beers. While many Moroccan Muslims don’t drink alcohol themselves, the influx of western trade has led local brewers to refine the art of making beer, and visitors to Marrakech can enjoy a varied range of beers, lagers and crisp pilsners.
Holidays in Marrakech offer visitors a dazzling insight into a fascinating, history-laden city. From the magnificent mosques to the downtown regions with their modern casinos, bars and hotels, you’ll be sure to find something that will appeal to everyone. However, at Jemaa el Fna Market you’ll feel you’ve stepped into another world. The exciting food and drinks on offer will take your taste buds on a magical journey, that you’ll remember for a long time to come.
 Meet the Author: Richard Morten
Richard Morten is a freelance writer and musician based in Bristol. He regularly contributes to a number of local newspapers, online journals and reference sites, as well as taking editorial roles on two regular publications. Richard’s work reflects strong interests in travel, culture, music and philosophy. |
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