Sephardic Food is a Tasty Tradition
When members of Seattle’s Sephardic community get together, plenty of good food is always on the table. The community’s cuisine is a delicious combination of dishes from Greece, Turkey, North Africa and Spain. Delicacies bearing an Iberian influence include: albóndigas, espinacas con garbanzos, calabasas, fideo, biscochos and arroz con leche.
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Community member Julie De Leon makes bulemas, a savory pastry stuffed with spinach and cheese. Photo Courtesy Seattle Sephardic Network 
Community member Julie De Leon makes bulemas, a savory pastry stuffed with spinach and cheese.
Photo Courtesy Seattle Sephardic Network
Yesterday's Mavens
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Yesterday’s Mavens, Today’s Foodies: Traditions in Northwest Jewish Kitchens.
A publication of the Washington State Jewish Historical Society Yesterday’s Mavens, Today’s Foodies: Traditions in Northwest Jewish Kitchens, apublication of the Washington State Jewish Historical Society
Quotes from Yesterday's Mavens, Today's Foodies:
“My older sister and I attempted our first Sephardic recipe of ‘pink rice’ for our father shortly after our mother’s death. The first attempt was mush and the second, burnt. No matter what, our father ate everything we made. He would say, ‘Es pecado,’ (a sin, a waste to throw away food). When my cousin tasted my food, she said I had ‘bendichas manos’ (blessed hands).”
– Rachel Ameleh
You can order a copy of the cookbook at this link.
“Marzipan (‘masapan’ in Ladino) is a sweet Sephardic confection traditionally served for important life cycle events like baby namings, bar mitzvahs and weddings. Marzipan represents good health and the celebration of life, as its key ingredient is almonds, which contain essential nutrients of life.”
– Sharon Cordova Lott
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Meryl Schenker Photography,
Courtesy of University of Washington Stroum Center for Jewish Studies Meryl Schenker Photography, Courtesy of University of Washington Stroum Center for Jewish Studies
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Women from the community make biscochos, a braided sweet cookie topped with sesame seeds. Photo Courtesy Seattle Sephardic Network Women from the community make biscochos, a braided sweet cookie topped with sesame seeds.
Photo Courtesy Seattle Sephardic Network
