Culinary Traditions Thrive in Jordan's Orchard-Filled Highlands

By Ivan PetrenkoApr 18, 2024 06:30 AMNews
Share:
Brown and white concrete building on brown rocky mountain during daytime
Brown and white concrete building on brown rocky mountain during daytime. Source: unsplash

In the verdant highlands of northern Jordan, amidst sprawling orchards and olive groves, local culinary traditions offer a fresh, organic experience deeply rooted in the region's rich soil and vibrant culture. Nestled between the rustic villages of Orjan and Rasoun, I recently discovered how these lush landscapes serve not only as a backdrop but as a vital ingredient to the local lifestyle.

As I wandered through the gardens of Eisa, a local tour operator and passionate advocate for Jordanian heritage, the air was ripe with the fragrance of figs—a staple in local cuisine and a symbol of the region's agricultural bounty. Eisa, who also co-founded the Jordan Trail, has dedicated his life to showcasing the natural and cultural treasures of Jordan, particularly its culinary delights.

A Day Harvesting with Locals

The day began with a warm invitation to explore Eisa’s family orchard, a small yet bountiful plot where the branches bow under the weight of ripe pomegranates, figs, olives, and lemons. It’s here that one truly appreciates the connection between the land and the table—a relationship that Eisa joyfully shares with visitors and his own family.

After a morning in the orchard, we ventured into the local market to gather ingredients, a vibrant mosaic of community and commerce. The market bustles with energy, with vendors proudly displaying the fruits of the Jordanian earth. Here, locals prefer to sell their surplus produce, sharing the very essence of their gardens with neighbors and strangers alike.

Cooking and Community

Back at Eisa's home, the kitchen is the heart where family and guests gather. Eman, Eisa’s wife and an adept cook, introduced me to the traditional dish of maqluba—an aromatic marvel that she prepares with a mix of local vegetables and spices sourced from their garden. The process of cooking maqluba is itself a lesson in the Jordanian way of life: communal, generous, and deeply connected to the land.

The dining experience is communal, reflecting the Jordanian ethos of hospitality and sharing. As the dishes came to the table, each recipe told a story of the landscape, the climate, and the people who cultivate and cherish it. The meal, featuring not only maqluba but also freshly made sides like musakhan rolls and jarjeer salad, was a celebration of Jordanian agriculture and culinary artistry.

Sustainable Practices and Cultural Preservation

What stands out in northern Jordan is not just the food itself but the sustainable practices that underpin its production. The local reliance on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients exemplifies a lifestyle that respects and preserves the environment—a practice that Eisa is keen to pass on to visitors and future generations.

As the sun set over the hills of Ajloun, the day concluded with stories and laughter, echoing the community spirit that defines this region. The simple act of sharing a meal extends beyond nourishment; it’s a communion with nature, heritage, and each other.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Seating area inside Dublin Airport lounge overlooking runway with international aircraft in view

Dublin Airport Broadens Global Reach for Summer 2025

Mar 29, 2025 13:43 PM
A passenger taps their card at a train station ticket barrier using contactless payment

Ticket Office Cuts Raise Travel Concerns

Mar 29, 2025 11:27 AM

Brussels Airlines Unveils Refined Inflight Dining

Mar 29, 2025 09:36 AM

Southern Italy Rail Upgrades to Disrupt Travel

Mar 29, 2025 07:41 AM
flydubai aircraft on runway with mountain backdrop

flydubai Restores Pisa Flights Ahead of Summer

Mar 29, 2025 05:29 AM
Man participating in a public protest or demonstration, facing another person in conversation

Easter Travel at Risk Amid Heathrow PRM Staff Strike

Mar 29, 2025 03:34 AM
Silhouettes of travellers waiting at an airport terminal during sunset

Edinburgh Airport Unveils Passenger-Focused Upgrades for Summer

Mar 28, 2025 23:42 PM
A quiet British railway station with footbridge and empty platforms on a cloudy day

Historic Rail Celebrations Unlock New Travel Routes Across the UK

Mar 28, 2025 20:38 PM
Tail fins of Iberia aircraft parked at Madrid-Barajas Airport on a clear day

Airline Alliance Expands Travel Options Between Spain and Argentina

Mar 28, 2025 18:24 PM

Benidorm Reinvents Itself as Eco-Friendly Holiday Destination

Mar 28, 2025 16:43 PM

Air France Adds Hotel-Style Bedding to Business Class for Long-Haul Flights

Mar 28, 2025 14:37 PM
Passengers at London King’s Cross station beside LNER and other trains under a large arched roof

LNER Opens Advance Ticket Sales for Summer 2025 Travel Across the UK

Mar 28, 2025 12:26 PM
Jet2holidays airplane flying low over a coastal road near a populated area with parked vehicles and scenic green hills

Jet2 Adds Norway Fjord Trips from Newcastle and Leeds Bradford

Mar 28, 2025 10:50 AM
Dark storm clouds forming in the sky before heavy rainfall

Polar Vortex Raises Storm Risk for UK Travelers

Mar 28, 2025 02:41 AM
easyJet aircraft parked at airport gate on a sunny day

easyJet Expands Inflight Services for Summer Travellers

Mar 28, 2025 00:39 AM

Delays Expected on Northern Italy Rail Routes

Mar 27, 2025 22:45 PM

Jet2 Opening New Travel Horizons With Expanded Winter 2025/26 Routes from Newcastle

Mar 27, 2025 20:28 PM
People walking along a historic street in central Torino at sunset

Torino Opens to Travelers as 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism

Mar 27, 2025 18:33 PM
Ryanair plane landing at sunset at Manchester Airport

Manchester Expands African Flight Options

Mar 27, 2025 16:46 PM
Young woman using smartphone at a European train station

Interrail Booking Becomes Effortless with New Digital System

Mar 27, 2025 14:29 PM
Emirates A380 aircraft taxiing at Sydney Airport during sunset

Emirates Marks 25 Years with Enhanced Sydney Travel

Mar 27, 2025 12:31 PM
A First Class train operated by Transport for Wales approaching a station through a residential area

Michelin-Level Dining on Welsh Rails

Mar 27, 2025 10:44 AM

Travel Disruptions Expected as Helsinki Airport Protest Approaches

Mar 27, 2025 08:27 AM

Heavy Fog Disrupts Transport in Southern England

Mar 27, 2025 06:32 AM
Airplane with Star Alliance livery parked at gate at the airport

Star Alliance and ÖBB Partner to Boost Train-Flight Integration

Mar 26, 2025 23:37 PM
Dark railway tunnel with visible train tracks leading to a lit station exit

Weekend Rail Works to Disrupt Derbyshire Routes

Mar 26, 2025 21:41 PM