🇩🇿 Couscous (كسكس)
Couscous is a staple dish made from:
- Steamed semolina grains
- Lamb, chicken, or beef
- A rich stew of vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, chickpeas, turnips, and pumpkin
- Spices like ras el hanout, cumin, and coriander
The semolina is traditionally steamed multiple times, then topped with the meat and vegetables and ladled with aromatic broth.
Why it matters
- Deeply rooted in Amazigh (Berber) culture
- Central to family gatherings, Fridays, weddings, and religious holidays
- Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage (shared with other Maghreb countries)
- Every region and household has its own variation
Other iconic Algerian dishes:
- Chakhchoukha – torn flatbread with spiced meat sauce
- Rechta – hand-cut noodles with chicken and cinnamon
- Kesra – traditional semolina bread