There's that moment every vegetarian in the Middle East fears: Dinner was going so well — until you came out as a non-meat eater.
Suddenly everyone begins to look at you like you've gone mad. Then come the various stages of denial: Oh, so you say you're a vegetarian? Well, let me put some meat on your plate as if you didn't say a thing.
Sure, everyone is fretting because they just want you to be happy. But let's be real here for a moment: There's still SO much vegetarian goodness to enjoy.
1. Because everywhere you go there's a stand like this bursting with fresh flavor.
2. Or fast food joints like this to get your fried-vegetarian fix.
3. And always yes to all the salads and side dishes. All the time.
4. The seasonal vegetables are guaranteed to delight.
6. Around every corner there is a ful (fava bean) cart or shop to get your sandwich on the go.
If your stomach can handle it.
9. A perfect compliment to the onions, lentils and rice pilaf deliciousness that is moujaddara.
10. Or a carb like mana'eesh with Za'atar (thyme leaves).
11. And Egypt's legendary-ish combination of rice, pasta, lentils, garlic, and tomato: koshary.
Finish the bowl at your own risk.
12. Of course, don't forget the shakshuka.
13. Or the "Mediterranean salad" of tomatoes and cucumbers that every Middle Eastern country seems to claim as its own.
14. Yes, it can be a bit daunting as a vegetarian when you're given a big bowl of hummus as your main course and expected to finish it.
15. But then friends feel bad that you "didn't get enough" and you happily devour their extras.
16. Because you know you'll stay fortified from all the region's vegetarian goodness.
17. So don't fret. And eat up.
