With a unique blend of flavors and vibrant ingredients, Israeli dishes offer a fresh perspective on traditional holiday fare. Incorporating these culinary delights into your Thanksgiving table not only introduces your guests to the rich tapestry of Israeli culture but also fosters an atmosphere of appreciation and togetherness.
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing food, and expressing gratitude for all that we have. While Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Israel, the culture of gratitude is something we deeply understand. As Israelis, we cherish our connections with our friends and supporters abroad—especially our American friends who stand with us through thick and thin. What better way to show appreciation than by sharing some of Israel’s best culinary traditions with you? This year, why not bring a taste of Israel to your Thanksgiving table and enrich your celebration with flavors that reflect our gratitude and shared values?
Our gratitude isn’t just for grand gestures—it’s for the simple, everyday joys as well. One of the best ways to share this gratitude is through food, which carries with it the stories of the land, the people, and the tradition. Israeli cuisine, rich in history and culture, can seamlessly fit into your Thanksgiving celebration, adding vibrant, fresh flavors to your table.
Our gratitude isn’t just for grand gestures—it’s for the simple, everyday joys as well. One of the best ways to share this gratitude is through food, which carries with it the stories of the land, the people, and the tradition. Israeli cuisine, rich in history and culture, can seamlessly fit into your Thanksgiving celebration, adding vibrant, fresh flavors to your table.
Israeli-Inspired Dishes to Elevate Your Thanksgiving
While Thanksgiving staples like turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes are beloved traditions, there’s always room to bring something new to the table. Israeli cuisine offers a variety of dishes that reflect the land’s bounty and its people’s love for food. Here are some Israeli-inspired dishes that can beautifully complement your Thanksgiving feast:
Roasted Eggplant with Tahini
Eggplant is a versatile vegetable in Israeli cooking, and one of its most beloved forms is roasted and served with tahini. The smoky flavor of the eggplant combined with the rich, nutty taste of tahini makes for a delicious side dish that’s sure to stand out. This combination of flavors represents the Mediterranean roots of Israeli cuisine and brings a light, refreshing balance to the heavier Thanksgiving classics.
Ingredients:
2 Medium/Large Eggplants
For dressing:
Half a cup of quality Tahini paste
Olive Oil for drizzling
1 small bunch of finely chopped Parsley
Silan (Date honey)
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F)
Slice the eggplants into two. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross-cross pattern within each half.
Step 2:
Lay each half on a baking tray and place them inside the oven for at least an hour or until the eggplants are soft inside.
Step 3:
To serve, lay each half on a plate, drizzle tahini, then Silan, and olive oil in a crisscross fashion. Sprinkle parsley liberally on top, and enjoy!
Known as Chatzil Baladi in Hebrew, this delicious eggplant dish is a family favorite. It is often served as a delicious appetizer that is perfect for sharing! You can either take a scoop with a spoon and eat it with bread or cut it into bite-sized pieces and eat it straight. And if in season, add pomegranates for a juicy crunch!
Ingredients:
2 Medium/Large Eggplants
For dressing:
Half a cup of quality Tahini paste
Olive Oil for drizzling
1 small bunch of finely chopped Parsley
Silan (Date honey)
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F)
Slice the eggplants into two. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross-cross pattern within each half.
Step 2:
Lay each half on a baking tray and place them inside the oven for at least an hour or until the eggplants are soft inside.
Step 3:
To serve, lay each half on a plate, drizzle tahini, then Silan, and olive oil in a crisscross fashion. Sprinkle parsley liberally on top, and enjoy!
Known as Chatzil Baladi in Hebrew, this delicious eggplant dish is a family favorite. It is often served as a delicious appetizer that is perfect for sharing! You can either take a scoop with a spoon and eat it with bread or cut it into bite-sized pieces and eat it straight. And if in season, add pomegranates for a juicy crunch!
Za’atar Roasted Potatoes
Za’atar, a popular spice blend made from wild thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and other spices, is a staple in Israeli kitchens. Roasted potatoes with za’atar brings a flavorful twist to a classic Thanksgiving side dish. The earthy, tangy flavor of za’atar enhances the natural richness of roasted potatoes and ties your meal to the land of Israel, where this spice has been used for centuries. It’s a simple yet flavorful addition that will introduce your guests to the magic of Israeli spices.
Ingredients:
3 Large White Potatoes
2 TBSP Za'atar Seasoning
2 TBSP Olive Oil
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Wash and peel the potatoes. Then, chop them into medium equal-shaped chunks. Place in a large bowl.
Step 2:
In a small bowl mix well the Za'atar seasoning and olive oil.
Step 3:
Pour the Za'atar seasoning and olive oil mixture into the large bowl and mix, ensuring that all the potatoes are fully coated in Za'atar and olive oil.
Step 4:
Place the potatoes on a large baking tray, spread them apart, and roast them for 40 minutes, turning them over once in between. When the potatoes are golden and crispy on the outside, take them out of the oven and serve!
Za'atar roasted potatoes are the perfect way to bring the flavors of Israel to your plate! Each bite is bursting with flavor and goes perfectly with your main course, whether with turkey, chicken, or meat!
Ingredients:
3 Large White Potatoes
2 TBSP Za'atar Seasoning
2 TBSP Olive Oil
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Wash and peel the potatoes. Then, chop them into medium equal-shaped chunks. Place in a large bowl.
Step 2:
In a small bowl mix well the Za'atar seasoning and olive oil.
Step 3:
Pour the Za'atar seasoning and olive oil mixture into the large bowl and mix, ensuring that all the potatoes are fully coated in Za'atar and olive oil.
Step 4:
Place the potatoes on a large baking tray, spread them apart, and roast them for 40 minutes, turning them over once in between. When the potatoes are golden and crispy on the outside, take them out of the oven and serve!
Za'atar roasted potatoes are the perfect way to bring the flavors of Israel to your plate! Each bite is bursting with flavor and goes perfectly with your main course, whether with turkey, chicken, or meat!
Challah Bread
Challah—a sweet, braided bread often eaten on Shabbat—can add a beautiful Israeli touch to your holiday table. The soft, slightly sweet bread pairs well with savory dishes and can even be used as the base for your stuffing. Its golden crust and tender crumb will be a favorite addition to your Thanksgiving feast, symbolizing both celebration and tradition.
Ingredients:
1 kg of flour
1/2 Cup of Oil
2 Cups of warm water
2 TBSP Dry Yeast
4 TBSP Sugar
1 TBSP Salt
1 Egg
Sesame Seeds
Step 1:
Mix flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl.
Step 2:
Add the warm water, egg and oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until it becomes a malleable dough. Smooth the inside of the bowl with oil and add a few drops on top of the dough.
Step 3:
Cover the bowl and place in a warm area to rise until it doubles in size. This can take between 1-2 hours depending on the room temperature.
Step 4:
Pour the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a few minutes. Divide it into four equal-sized pieces.
Step 5:
Take one piece and divide it again into three pieces. Roll each one out so you have three long, equal-sized pieces. Gather them together and braid, overlapping each one and pinching them at the edges. Repeat until you have four Challah rolls.
Step 6:
Brush each Challah roll with egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Leave to rest until the dough has risen once again.
Step 7:
Place the Challah rolls on the baking tray and bake. They will be ready once they are golden on the top and light-medium brown underneath.
Step 8:
As soon as you remove them from the oven, cover the Challah rolls with a towel until ready to serve.
Challah is one of the most versatile and popular breads in Israel. Play around with the shapes, from personal round Challah rolls to magnificent pull-apart Challahs. You can also add whatever ingredients you like to it. Try adding raisins or cinnamon to the dough or sprinkling everything bagel (or, in Israel, everything Challah!) seasoning on top. Whatever you do, if you follow the recipe, the results will be a hit among the family!
Ingredients:
1 kg of flour
1/2 Cup of Oil
2 Cups of warm water
2 TBSP Dry Yeast
4 TBSP Sugar
1 TBSP Salt
1 Egg
Sesame Seeds
Step 1:
Mix flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a large bowl.
Step 2:
Add the warm water, egg and oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until it becomes a malleable dough. Smooth the inside of the bowl with oil and add a few drops on top of the dough.
Step 3:
Cover the bowl and place in a warm area to rise until it doubles in size. This can take between 1-2 hours depending on the room temperature.
Step 4:
Pour the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a few minutes. Divide it into four equal-sized pieces.
Step 5:
Take one piece and divide it again into three pieces. Roll each one out so you have three long, equal-sized pieces. Gather them together and braid, overlapping each one and pinching them at the edges. Repeat until you have four Challah rolls.
Step 6:
Brush each Challah roll with egg and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Leave to rest until the dough has risen once again.
Step 7:
Place the Challah rolls on the baking tray and bake. They will be ready once they are golden on the top and light-medium brown underneath.
Step 8:
As soon as you remove them from the oven, cover the Challah rolls with a towel until ready to serve.
Challah is one of the most versatile and popular breads in Israel. Play around with the shapes, from personal round Challah rolls to magnificent pull-apart Challahs. You can also add whatever ingredients you like to it. Try adding raisins or cinnamon to the dough or sprinkling everything bagel (or, in Israel, everything Challah!) seasoning on top. Whatever you do, if you follow the recipe, the results will be a hit among the family!
A Partnership with Lev Haolam: Supporting Israeli Artisans
As you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s worth reflecting on how your support helps sustain Israeli artisans and small businesses through Lev Haolam. We are incredibly grateful to our supporters who, through their monthly subscriptions, allow us to share the goodness of Israel with them in the comfort of their homes. Lev Haolam’s boxes feature a range of handmade products from small Israeli businesses, including unique food items that reflect the culinary traditions of Israel. From artisanal olive oils to flavorful spices like za’atar, each product tells the story of Israel’s land and people.
With a subscription, you are not only supporting Israeli businesses but also creating a deeper connection with Israel’s culture and traditions. Whether you’re introducing Israeli dishes to your Thanksgiving table or simply enjoying the richness of Israeli flavors year-round, Lev Haolam allows you to experience Israel in an authentic and meaningful way.
Bringing Israel’s Flavors and Traditions to Your Home
As you gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving, consider the deep connection that food creates between people and places. By incorporating Israeli dishes into your Thanksgiving meal, you’re not just adding delicious new flavors to your table—you’re honoring the shared values of gratitude, community, and celebration that transcend borders. Israeli cuisine, rooted in the land and its diverse cultural influences, offers a unique way to connect with Israel and share it with your loved ones.
At Lev Haolam, we believe that traditions and cultures come alive when we experience them firsthand. Our subscription boxes offer a gateway to Israeli life, providing a way for you to stay connected with the land, the people, and the traditions that make Israel special. From food products to artisanal crafts, every item in our box is a piece of Israel’s story—one that you can bring into your home and share with those you love.
This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the bond we share with our American friends and supporters. Through Lev Haolam, we invite you to continue being part of this journey with us, experiencing the beauty, resilience, and gratitude that define Israeli life. By supporting Lev Haolam, you’re not only enriching your own table—you’re also helping sustain the vibrant traditions of Israel for generations to come.
At Lev Haolam, we believe that traditions and cultures come alive when we experience them firsthand. Our subscription boxes offer a gateway to Israeli life, providing a way for you to stay connected with the land, the people, and the traditions that make Israel special. From food products to artisanal crafts, every item in our box is a piece of Israel’s story—one that you can bring into your home and share with those you love.
This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the bond we share with our American friends and supporters. Through Lev Haolam, we invite you to continue being part of this journey with us, experiencing the beauty, resilience, and gratitude that define Israeli life. By supporting Lev Haolam, you’re not only enriching your own table—you’re also helping sustain the vibrant traditions of Israel for generations to come.
