 Medfouna or Berber pizza at a local restaurant nearMerzouga,Errachidia Province. | |
| Alternative names | Rissani,Berber pizza |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Region or state | Drâa-Tafilalet,Morocco |
| Associatedcuisine | Moroccan cuisine |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
Medfouna, also known as "Berber pizza" or "desert pizza," is a traditional and rustic culinary dish originating fromMorocco.[1][2][3][4] It is prepared from a round-shaped dough that is stuffed, soft inside and crispy outside. Unlike pizza, Medfouna consists of two layers of dough: one at the bottom and one on top that covers the filling.
In the mountains of theMiddle Atlas in Morocco, it is baked over a wood fire, then cut into eight pieces and offered to guests along with a glass ofMoroccan mint tea.
The termMedfouna comes fromArabic (المدفونة) and means "buried."[5] In theDrâa-Tafilalet region, medfouna is also known asRissani, named after the town ofRissani, known for its specialty Medfouna.[6]
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Medfouna is inherited from the Berbers of the oases in the southern region of Morocco.[1] This dish is a symbol of the cultural and culinary traditions of this part of Morocco.[7]
The popularity of this dish has increased after British chefGordon Ramsay, as part of filming his culinary seriesUncharted, a travel cooking show organized in partnership withNational Geographic channel, travelled to Morocco to discover different aspects of Moroccan gastronomy.[8][9][10]
By visiting the Middle Atlas mountains, the British chef introduced viewers to the Medfouna recipe presented by the Berbers of the Middle Atlas. A rustic recipe, made from local products, consisting of various types of mushrooms that grow in the surrounding mountains, spices, and fresh Berber cheese from the region.[11] According to the tradition of the Middle Atlas, Medfouna is cooked over a wood fire, unlike that of the Berbers ofTafilalet who cook it under the desert sand.[12]
The stuffing is a combination of spices and herbs, usually accompanied by portions of vegetables, onions, andminced meat (lamb, beef or goat), as well as cheese,coriander, and a little fat. The whole can be topped with slices ofhard-boiled eggs.[13]
Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article atfr:Medfouna (Maroc); see its history for attribution.
