Ptitim

Ptitim (Hebrew: פתיתים‎) is an Israeli toasted pasta shaped like rice or little balls. Outside Israel it is known as Israeli couscous or Jerusalem couscous. In Israel it is sometimes colloquially and jokingly called "Ben-Gurion rice" (Hebrew: אורז בן-גוריון órez Ben-Gurion).

History

Ptitim was invented during the austerity period in Israel (from 1949 to 1959). Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, asked Eugen Proper, one of the founders of the Osem food company, to quickly devise a wheat-based substitute to rice. Consequently, it was nicknamed "Ben-Gurion's rice" by the people. The company took up the challenge and developed ptitim, which is made of hard wheat flour and roasted in an oven. The product was instantly a success, after which ptitim made in the shape of small, dense balls (which the company termed "couscous") was added to the original rice-shaped ptitim.

Preparation

Ptitim is popular among Israeli children, who eat it plain, or mixed with fried onion and tomato paste. Ptitim are now produced in ring, star, and heart shapes for added appeal. For health conscious consumers, there are also whole-wheat and spelt flour ptitim.