From fluffy omelettes to savoury frittatas and spicy shakshuka, eggs are a staple ingredient across the region, and each country has its own delicious signature eggy dish.
Mediterranean cuisine, with its emphasis on fresh and wholesome ingredients, seamlessly incorporates eggs into a myriad of delightful dishes. From the ever-popular Spanish tortilla, a savoury omelette packed with tender potatoes and onions, to the aromatic Moroccan shakshuka, where eggs are gently poached in a rich tomato and pepper sauce, eggs play a versatile and essential role in the Mediterranean kitchen.
The Mediterranean diet is often cited as one of the healthiest ways of eating on the planet. It’s also a diet originating from some of the most delicious cuisines on the planet, and they all feature eggs in their cooking. It’s hard to find a corner of the Med where you won’t find an egg dish; here are some that are now famous around the world.
The omelette of Spain
In Spain, eggs take centre stage - and feature in every tapas bar - in the classic Spanish omelette, also known as"tortilla española." This hearty dish in its simplest form combines eggs, sliced potatoes and onions, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. It’s often served as a tapa in small chunks, or as a filling breakfast in a larger portion.
Italian frittata
Italy's contribution to the Mediterranean lineup is the frittata. Similar to an omelette, the frittata is a thick and fluffy open-faced egg dish enriched with various fillings such as cheese, vegetables, or cured meats. It's a perfect canvas for using up leftovers and creating a personalised masterpiece in your own kitchen. Serve in a wedge with a salad or vegetables on the side, or on its own garnished with herbs. Perfetto!
Shakshuka
One of the signature dishes of Morocco and Tunisia, shakshuka also features all around the Mediterranean. This flavourful dish is made with eggs broken into in a spicy tomato sauce and cooked, seasoned with cumin, paprika, and chilli powder. The dish is often served with crusty bread for dipping, and is now a beloved breakfast staple around the world.
Menemen
Next, we're off to Turkey for a taste of menemen. This popular breakfast dish features eggs cooked in a tomato and pepper sauce – just like Shakshuka – but instead of the eggs being broken into the sauce and left intact, they’re mixed in with the sauce, like scrambled eggs. It’s also seasoned with spices like cumin and chilli flakes, and often served with fresh herbs and crumbled feta cheese. It can be eaten at breakfast or any other meal time.
Çilbir
Çilbir is a traditional and delicious way of eating eggs, Turkish style. It’s simply poached eggs served over garlicky, lemony Greek yoghurt, and drizzled with a spiced butter sauce. The sauce can be mopped up with toast or flat bread for a delicious (and protein-packed) breakfast.
Strapatsatha
A delicious Greek breakfast, Strapatsatha can be whipped up in minutes. Simply eggs scrambled with chopped tomatoes that have first been lightly cooked in olive oil and garlic, the dish is served topped with feta.
Tomatesà la Monegasque
From the smallest country on the Mediterranean, Monaco, comes one of its most famous dishes, that happens to prominently feature the humble egg. Tomates à laMonegasque is an appetiser of large ripe tomatoes stuffed with a mix of chopped hard-boiled egg, tuna, mustard, mayonnaise, chives, lettuce leaves, and seasonings.
These are just some of the ways eggs feature in the cuisine of the Mediterranean. If that’s got your taste buds fired up, head to our recipe section for these and other mouth-watering eggy treats.
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