Traditional Mountain Recipes Cookbook – More than 50recipes from Morocco, Algeria, Italy, Croatia, Tunisia and Lebanon

Abstract

This specialized cookbook offers a curated collection of recipes featuring wheat and barley, designed to celebrate not only traditional Mediterranean flavours but also the core principles of sustainable development and women's empowerment.

This effort is inspired by the MountainHER Project, which is focused on empowering women in societies as a crucial driver for agro-ecological transformation and income generation across mountain communities in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Italy, and Croatia. Our focus centers on barley and durum wheat, two emblematic crops of the region.

The project highlights the essential role of women from rural areas in transforming these agricultural staples. By processing the grains into traditional foods and value-added products, these women succeeded in fully establishing and managing sustainable value chains from field to table. The recipes within this collection demonstrate the full potential and versatility of locally sourced grains. They range from staple breads and porridges to contemporary culinary interpretations that reflect the unique terroir and cultural heritage of the partner communities.

We aim to use this cookbook to connect culinary tradition with modern sustainable practices, underscore the richness of locally grown grains, and raise awareness of the critical importance of women's leadership in creating localized value. Ultimately, we hope to inspire readers to support socially inclusive and environmentally responsible practices by recreating these recipes in their own kitchens.