Jim Moore
Is Syrian cuisine yummy? Yes it is judging by the number of folks purchasing “Jessica’s Syrian Food” from Khedr and Nour Jarous. They have been selling their freshly cooked and BBQ foods from their booth at the Almonte Farmers Market for the last five weeks. The food was an instant hit. They have an extensive variety of fresh cooked foods available each week and usually introduce a couple of new items to the menu. Examples of chicken dishes include BBQ chicken on skewers, and spiced chicken legs.
Beef dishes include shish kebab skewers, fried kibbe (ground beef, tomato, onion, Arabic spices); kousa which is zucchini stuffed with rice and ground beef, cabbage rolls stuffed with beef, and meat pies ( ground beef, tomato, onion, parsley, and Arabic spices.)
Vegetarian dishes include cheese boats, homemade humus and falafel. A real favourite is grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomato, onion, parsley and spices. They also sell unique sweets mostly made with honey imported from Lebanon rather than refined sugars.
All of the food is prepared within 24 hours of market time to ensure freshness and stored in coolers before and during market hours. If you have not had an opportunity to visit the Jarous booth at the Almonte Farmers market- do yourself a favour and drop by. Their repeat clientele is growing as is their reputation for distinctive and uniquely flavoured and pleasantly spiced food.
Khedr Jarous has a number of years’ experience in Syria as a chef. He is an expert in the subtle use of spices to enhance foods. He and his colleague chefs specialized in cooking many differing appetizer type foods in specialty restaurants which catered to upwards of 1200 patrons an evening.
Khedr and Nour have opened a catering service from their home offering their Syrian food for either appetizers, lunches or dinners. The service is called Jessica’s Syrian Food.
For the interim and until they are more fully conversant with the English language if you are interested in ordering or learning more please email at JessicasSyrianFood@gmail.com or call Phyllis at 613-256-5375, who is part of the sponsoring group supporting the settlement of the Jarous family.
The Jarous family is very happy and grateful that Almonte citizens have welcomed and supported them as they transition to becoming fully established Canadians. They believe offering their special food to the public is one way to pay back Almonte and help them achieve their independence as contributing residents to our wonderful town.
