FOOD AND CROPS
The crops grown in Yemen are heavily based on the climate. It is typically hot and humid along the coast, temperate in the mountains, and hot and dry in the desert.
Topography of Yemen
Overgrazed hill
Yemen imports many of its crops because only 3% of its is arable. This is because of overgrazing, desertification, soil erosion and limited access to water.
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Yemen's most prevalent crop exports are Coffee, Fish, and Qat.
Qat is originally from Africa and mainly chewed by those in the Arabian Peninsula. It's similar to tobacco in that Qat is chewed for it's stimulant properties. Growing Qat requires a lot of water, thus adding to the water crisis in Yemen.
Picking Qat in a field
Yemen Cusine
Since Yemen is primarily Muslim, much of its dishes are halal. Coastal towns eat more fish dishes whereas mountain towns eat more meat and chicken heavy dishes. Many of its traditional dishes are composed of rice, potatoes, halal meats or fishes flavored with spices. In an interview with "National Yemen", Buthaina Akeel explains that “cooking traditional food is a very special art and for our Yemeni dishes, we use very special spices, some that cannot be found outside Yemen.”
Mandi
Mandi is the most popular Yemeni dish and is composed of basmati rice and a stow-stewed chicken, goat or lamb. It's named after the dewy texture of the meat ("nada" means dew). The meat is spiced and cooked in an underground oven called a Tandoor. The dish is typically very large and shared by many people.
Chicken Mandi
Maraq
Maraq is a popular lamb broth soup defined by its spicy, rich flavor and thick broth. This dish can be eaten as a soup or as a stew with some rice. It is always served at the beginning of a meal with a slice of lemon on the side to squeeze into it.
Maraq Hilib Ari
Malawah
Malawa is a popular bread that is layered and folded with butter or ghee and has a semi-cripsy crust. It typically served in eateries but if prepared at home, it is served in a large single piece called a "malawah double". It is served served hot and folded over regularly to prevent it from cooling down quickly
Malawah
Zhug
Zhug
Zhug is a Yemenite green hot sauce that is great with sandwiches, over grilled meats, or as a topping for veggies. Its prepared with spices ground with a mortar and pestle.
Visit the sources below for more traditional dishes.
Sources
http://teachmideast.org/country-profiles/yemen/
https://www.livescience.com/61815-what-is-ramadan.html
http://yemenfood.blogspot.com/p/food.html
https://nationalyemen.com/2016/10/25/food-trails-the-rich-history-of-yemeni-cuisine/
https://trip101.com/article/traditional-food-in-yemen
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2016/02/26/The-UAE-s-love-affair-with-Yemeni-cuisine-.html