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Rechta (
In Tunisia, rechta is also consumed in
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...
: رشتة) is a dish made from pasta cut into thin fresh artisan strips, typical of (Algeria
)
, image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg
, map_caption =
, image_map2 =
, capital = Algiers
, coordinates =
, largest_city = capital
, relig ...
). It is in particular the symbolic dish of Algiers cuisine.
Etymology
The word comes from the Persian rista, meaning "thread" and commonly used to refer to pasta. The word rechta is berberized to ''tarechta'', still commonly used inOran
Oran ( ar, وَهران, Wahrān) is a major coastal city located in the north-west of Algeria. It is considered the second most important city of Algeria after the capital Algiers, due to its population and commercial, industrial, and cultural ...
and Tlemcen
Tlemcen (; ar, تلمسان, translit=Tilimsān) is the second-largest city in northwestern Algeria after Oran, and capital of the Tlemcen Province. The city has developed leather, carpet, and textile industries, which it exports through the por ...
in Algeria, the word comes from the root rkt or rcht.
Variants
Algeria
Rechta is a popular pasta dish in Algeria, and is particularly beloved in the cities ofAlgiers
Algiers ( ; ar, الجزائر, al-Jazāʾir; ber, Dzayer, script=Latn; french: Alger, ) is the capital and largest city of Algeria. The city's population at the 2008 Census was 2,988,145Census 14 April 2008: Office National des Statistiques ...
and Constantine
Constantine most often refers to:
* Constantine the Great, Roman emperor from 306 to 337, also known as Constantine I
* Constantine, Algeria, a city in Algeria
Constantine may also refer to:
People
* Constantine (name), a masculine given na ...
, where it is considered a specialty.
In Algiers, rechta is typically served with a meat and vegetable sauce that is seasoned with a variety of spices. The sauce may contain chickpeas, potatoes, and other vegetables. Some versions of the dish include a roux made from flour and oil, which is used to thicken the sauce and give it a smooth texture. The pasta itself is typically made from a combination of semolina flour and water, and is rolled out into long, flat noodles that are cut into strips.
In Constantine, rechta is often served with a tomato-based sauce that includes a variety of vegetables, such as onions, carrots, and green peppers. The sauce may also contain meat or poultry, such as chicken or lamb, and is typically flavored with herbs like parsley and cilantro. Some versions of the dish may also include chickpeas or other legumes. The pasta used in Constantine is similar to that used in Algiers, and is also made from semolina flour and water.
In both cities, rechta is considered a festive dish that is often served at special occasions like weddings and religious holidays. Tunisia
In Tunisia, rechta is also consumed in Bizerte
Bizerte or Bizerta ( ar, بنزرت, translit=Binzart , it, Biserta, french: link=no, Bizérte) the classical Hippo, is a city of Bizerte Governorate in Tunisia. It is the northernmost city in Africa, located 65 km (40mil) north of the cap ...
, but it is typically served in a soup or stew. The pasta is often prepared in a similar way to Algerian rechta, but it is cut into shorter lengths and may be a bit wider. particularly rechta jerya or rechta njara.{{Cite book , last1=Schürings , first1=Hildegard , url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Wy1VtltH4gC&dq=rechta+tunisie&pg=PA158 , title=FORCES FEMININES ET DYNAMIQUES RURALES EN TUNISIE: Contributions socio-économiques et espoirs des jeunes filles du monde rural , last2=Lamari , first2=Moktar , date=2000-02-01 , publisher=Editions L'Harmattan , isbn=978-2-296-40432-8 , language=fr
References