Za’atar Thyme & Sumac Herb Mix
Discover the inspiring zing of za’atar – a natural companion to Zatoun olive oil. Za’atar is an aromatic herb mix produced from a certain variety of thyme indigenous to Palestine and is used as topping or seasoning. Za’atar is versatile and easy to use on almost anything. Za’atar to Middle Eastern cooking is like what Essence is to Emeril. Za’atar is a spice blend that is so versatile! It can be used on meats, veggies, rice, and breads. And, yes, it has been known to make me yell “Bam!” every once in a while.
AVAILABLE at Seeds Natural Foods Market, 2733a Dunsmuir Ave., Cumberland and at our warehouse – Open Saturday mornings, 10am – 1pm. Location: 2449D Rosewall Cres, (across road from TinTown Cafe)
Zatoun Extra Virgin Olive Oil (currently unavailable)
Certified Fair Trade from Palestine – A delicate, full-bodied olive oil with a sweet, smooth taste and peppery finish. Ideal for a wide range of delicious uses and perfect for gift giving.
Olive Oil is SOLD OUT at Edible Island Whole Foods, 477 6th Street, Courtenay
Contact our Fair Trade Sales Manager (Carie): wcfairtrade@gmail.com or text 778 389-2612.
More about Zatoun Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Zatoun Extra Virgin Olive Oil is grown using traditional methods on the ancient land and terraces on the hills of Palestine. Sourced from small-scale growers working in co-operatives in the West Bank this is the world’s first fair trade olive oil (awarded certification in 2009).
Zatoun is made for the Nabali olive variety native to Palestine – the land of the first olive trees. It is delicate, full-bodied, with a sweet and smooth and a peppery finish.
Zatoun is perfect for dressings, marinades, for drizzling, and for sautéing vegetables or meats. And it is simply delicious with pita bread and baguette – try with Zatoun own za’atar thyme herb mix.
Always the perfect oil for your home table or someone else’s. Gift Zatoun olive oil instead of a bottle of wine – your friends will enjoy the oil and remember the giver much longer.
Olive oil is the life blood of the land of Palestine and its people. Grown and harvested by Palestinian farmers at great personal danger and cost. For many families olives and olive oil is a major source of sustenance and livelihood.
Zatoun Extra Virgin Olive Oil is supplied and bottled in Jenin area of West Bank by Canaan Fair Trade, one of the oldest exporters of quality olive oil from Palestine.
To produce high quality extra virgin olive oil olives must be totally unbruised, pressed immediately, and stored in stainless steel. The olive harvest in Palestine is in October and November which is earlier than other Mediterranean countries. The olives are picked by hand and pressed in one of 27 village presses or centrally using state-of-the-art olive press in a splendid new facility in Burqin, Palestine.
More about Za'atar Herb Mix
Za’atar has become a culinary sensation due to its intense herb flavour and tangy zing. Long a staple of Palestinian cooking and street food, za’atar is made with wild thyme and sumac mixed with roasted sesame seeds and salt. Add za’atar to make instant salad dressings and marinades, garnish on dips and soups, sprinkle on breads and pizza, rub on chicken and meat for BBQ – virtually anything – or simply with olive oil for dipping. Zesty, delicious and nutritious.
The wild thyme is picked, cleaned and dried before being blended with roasted sesame seeds, ground sumac and a touch of salt. Zatoun za’atar is processed by a member women-owned cooperative in Al-Jalama. Olive oil, za’atar and fresh-baked bread is the traditional daily breakfast in Palestine. Za’atar can keep indefinitely when refrigerated but it should not last more than a few months when you discover its taste and diverse range of uses. No limit to its uses -please download recipe booklet (in pdf) called Tasty and Easy.
Discovered by people in North America, za’atar continues to grow in popularity by leaps impressing taste buds everywhere.
Project Hope – Based in Nablus, Palestine, we provide educational and recreational programs to communities enduring the effects of violence and occupation, offering children, youth, and adults safe spaces to learn, thrive and grow. Our main program areas are languages, arts, technology, and sports. We keep all our classes small — between ten and fifteen students — and strive to create an atmosphere that is positive and encouraging. Enjoy the video below.
Zatoun Recipes (Olive Oil & Spice)
Zatoun olive oil and za’atar dip: Cut Italian, French or pita bread into squares. Dip in oil and then in the za’atar. Or mix them together and dip!
Pita crisps: Brush pita with a paste made of equal amounts of olive oil and za’atar. Split pita into two rounds and brush oil mixture on insides of bread. Cut each round into 8. Bake, oiled sides up, at 350 until golden (about 8 minutes).
Veggie dip: Mix 1 cup yogurt, 1⁄4 cup za’atar. Serve with veggies or crackers. Experiment with adding sour cream, cottage cheese, etc.
Salad dressing (good on Greek-style salads): 1⁄2 cup olive oil, 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar,1 Tbsp. za’atar, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, salt pepper. Marinade for meat or BBQ vegetables: Use the salad dressing recipe. Marinate 15-20 minutes.
Baked vegies: Coat vegetables with Zatoun olive, bake as needed. Sprinkle za’atar over about 10 minutes before removing from oven.
Za`atar eggs: Scramble eggs as desired. About 2 minutes before removing from heat, fold in za’atar. Za’atar garnish for hummus, dips, soups veggies. Delicious! Mashed potatoes with olive oil and za’atar. Use oil instead of butter. Sprinkle with za’atar.
Mediterranean pizza with olives, feta & za’atar: Brush olive oil on dough fi rst. Makes a lovely light pizza. Add other veggies as desired. Mediterranean pasta salad with olives, feta & za’atar: Use any shaped pasta, pour olive oil over, add olives, cubed feta and sprinkle with za’atar. Add other veggies as desired.
A Traditional Mediterranean Snack: Cut up wedges of watermelon, wedges of feta cheese. Serve with za’atar, pita and hot mint tea.