Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1322707
NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 30 JANUARY + FEBRUARY 2021 CONTACT 244 Amesbury Road, Kensington, New Hampshire, 603-397-7994, karimahskitchen.com E AT + D R I N K cucumbers for the tabbouleh, grinding the chickpeas for falafel, and dicing and deep-frying mountains of eggplant for one of Nabulsi's specialties: fried eggplant fattoush. The cubes of eggplant, blended with an assortment of fresh peppers, tomato, spices, cilantro, garlic, and lemon juice, can make a convert of even the most hardened detractor of the nightshade family (as this writer can attest). Bright and savory, with none of the bitterness or weird texture sometimes associated with eggplant, it's an addictively welcome dip with some Karimah's Kitchen pita chips. The eggplant fattoush or any of Nabulsi's other dishes would be a delicious addition to the dinner table. Try several for a mezze-themed meal, or just offer a few as an appetizer. But if you are looking for a real show- stopper, track down the trays of Middle Eastern pastries Nabulsi offers. Growing up, Nabulsi, who is Muslim, celebrated holidays like Ramadan with joyful visits to family and friends to exchange many different kinds of pastries. The treats go well beyond baklava—the mixture of nuts and sugar syrup pressed between sheets of phyllo that is most familiar around here. Think Kanafeh: a combination of mozzarella, ricotta, and sweet cheeses soaked in rose and orange blossom water and baked between layers of shredded filo dough. Or Maamoul—semolina shell pastries filled with dates or walnuts. While North Shore residents have missed the Karimah's Kitchen stand at the Newburyport Farmers' Market, which has been closed since last spring because of the pandemic, Nabulsi has recently started selling her goodies at Appleton Farms in Ipswich. And will most certainly be offering those cookie trays there, as well as at farmers' markets in southern New Hampshire and at the Farm at Eastman's Corner. "I love showing customers the kinds of cookies we make for special occasions," Nabulsi says. "We brought all those beautiful memories with us here. Memories that we love sharing with our kids, our loved ones, and our friends." PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF KARIMAH OMAR NABULSI "Even people who have never tried Middle Eastern food before, when they hear how the dish is made and what's in it, they take the risk and try it. And that's where they fall in love." Falafel (top), eggplant fattoush, and Middle Eastern pastries