| Medfouna | |
| Alternate Name: | Rissani, Berber pizza |
| Region: | Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco |
| Course: | Main course |
| Associated Cuisine: | Moroccan cuisine |
| Served: | Hot |
Medfouna, also known as "Berber pizza" or "desert pizza," is a traditional and rustic culinary dish originating from Morocco.[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 the Middle Atlas in Morocco, it is baked over a wood fire, then cut into eight pieces and offered to guests along with a glass of Moroccan mint tea.
The term Medfouna comes from Arabic (المدفونة) and means "buried."[5] In the Drâa-Tafilalet region, medfouna is also known as Rissani, named after the town of Rissani, known for its specialty Medfouna.[6]
Medfouna is inherited from the Berbers of the oases in the southern region of Morocco. 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 chef Gordon Ramsay, as part of filming his culinary series Uncharted, a travel cooking show organized in partnership with National 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 of Tafilalet who cook it under the desert sand.[12]
The stuffing is a combination of spices and herbs, usually accompanied by portions of vegetables, onions, and minced meat (lamb, beef or goat), as well as cheese, coriander, and a little fat. The whole can be topped with slices of hard-boiled eggs.[13]
Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at ; see its history for attribution.