Gluten-free Flavours of Morocco

I was worried about gluten-free food in Morocco, which has a primarily bread-based cuisine, but I was pleasantly surprised that there were always some delicious gluten-free options, even during Ramadan and Eid.

Note: I did bring some gluten-free bread with me from Europe (and I also bought some in a Carrefour in Casablanca), so I didn't feel 'left out' whenever there was a dish that was basically gluten-free, but was served with bread.

Most waiters in restaurants were not familiar with a gluten-free diet, but when I explained it to them, they were always willing to find an alternative. In the riad we stayed at in Marrakesh, they even made rice bread for me from scratch!

This was our riad hotel breakfast in Chefchaouen, a typical Moroccan breakfast which consists of bread (no bread for me, but there was plenty of other food), an omelette, a fruit salad, olives, cheese and a delicious peanut butter dip (I used my own bread for this), served with orange juice and Moroccan mint tea (or coffee).

Moroccan breakfast

Naturally gluten-free Moroccan dishes

Tajine

Tajine

Probably the most popular dish, and one you can find virtually anywhere, even when limited selection of food is served during Ramadan and Eid, is Tajine. This is basically a stew (usually meat, chicken or veggie, and sometimes seafood) named after the clay pot in which it is cooked and served. It often comes with vegetables and potatoes, so it's a complete dish on its own, but served with bread (bring your own or ask for rice if you are like me and need your carbs;). Not all restaurants serve rice, but many do.

Tangia

This typical Marrakesh dish is also a stew, prepared and served differently, but equally delicious!

Mixed grill

Grilled chicken and meat

Grilled skewers of chicken or meat (kefta- ground beef or lamb) are always gluten-free. Sausages may or may not be gluten free as they might contain wheat flour as a binder. These dishes are often served with a salad and rice, which is an added bonus.

Other Gluten-free dishes

• Omelettes

• Shashuka

• Bessara (pureed bean soup)

• Salads

• Zaalouk (eggplant and tomato cooked salad)

• Bakoula Salad (cooked spinach)

Market Food

You can get many gluten-free products and dishes at the local markets. We went to the night markets on Jemaa el-Fnaa market and ate at one of the food stalls (two nights in a row; it was that good!). We also bought some olives, dates, fresh juice and nuts (all naturally gluten-free:).

Jemaa el-Fnaa night markets

Pomegranates

Things that are NOT gluten-free

• Bread (bring your own)

• Couscous

• Harira (a Ramadan soup, contains pasta)

• Pastilla (a meat pie)

• Moroccan Sweets and cookies

Gluten-free Restaurants

Tajine with GF bread and Moroccan tea

• Chefchaouen: Bilmos This is the only restaurant I came across that makes their own gluten-free bread! They also offered gluten-free crepes (yummy!)

• Marrakesh: Falafel Terrace One of the few restaurants where the waiter was aware of GF options. Among other things, they had a delicious shashuka and falafel on the menu.

A Note on Wine

Did you know that Morocco produces its own wine?

While we couldn't find any alcohol during Ramadan or the first couple of days of Eid al-Fitr, we came across a wine shop in Casablanca. It was closed on the first two days of Eid al-Fitr (the celebrations and public holidays that mark the end of Ramadan), but opened on the third day, so we purchased a bottle of Moroccan white wine (surprisingly quite good!). In Marrakesh, there are many bars, restaurants and hotels that serve alcohol, so we tried some more Moroccan wine, including their 'grey' wine (a very light style of rose, tasting more like pinot gris).