Since moving to Toronto from Mississauga last year, I’ve started to crave some Arab dishes — yes mom, you told me I’d miss your food.
This experience is universal. Tasting flavours, vibrant spices and comforting aromas can help fight feelings of isolation and homesickness.
But, I can’t keep ordering overpriced, oil-drenched shawarmas so often.
For many people, it can be hard to find the ingredients and tools to recreate childhood dishes.
Often, diasporic communities concentrate in one area — finding comfort in familiarity. For example, most Arab stores in the city can be found on Lawrence Avenue in Wexford/Maryvale in Scarborough. It’s not always realistic for Torontonians living in the west-end and downtown core to hop on an hour-long streetcar-bus-subway hybrid transit situation just to reach a convenience store you aren’t sure has what you’re looking for.
In efforts to satisfy my sudden shawarma cravings, I went about looking for pomegranate molasses, sumac and pickles.
So, let me show you one Arab gem I found.
PETRA AVENUE MARKET
This Palestinian-owned supermarket, located at 150 Dundas St. W., is at the heart of the downtown Toronto core. It’s a few minutes from the Eaton Centre, TMU Station and Sankofa Square. Here are some essential ingredients you’ll find stocked there.
PUCK CHEESE
Right after you step in, to your left, there are jars of Puck Cheese sitting on the top shelf behind the fridge door. If you’re into a salty, thicker-than-cream-cheese dairy spread, this should be your go-to.
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
DRIED APRICOT PASTE
If you keep walking to the centre of the store, laying on a shelf is dried apricot paste, which is basically just a fruit leather. My parents used to hide it away in a locked cabinet, even though I never reached for this chewy snack. But, I wouldn’t say no if I was offered.
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
PICKLES GALORE
Thought I wouldn’t pay some kind of homage to my Iraqi roots? Wrong. I found amba, which is made from pickled mangos, and Iraqi Najaf Mixed Pickles with date syrup. If you’re trying to recreate your Baghdad falafel sandwiches or Sumac and Al-Forat favourites, this is what you need.
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
GRAPE LEAVES
If you want to make stuffed grape leaves, also known as warak enab or dolma in some countries, the grocery store has a few different versions to suit your needs.
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
DRIED ROSE PETALS
Rose petals for your dessert? Arabs love rose water in their foods and rose petals as decoration. Well, if you were wondering where to get some, Petra has them — and a rose petal spread too.
📸: Aia Jaber/The Green Line.
The location is prime for me because my favourite cheap Sushi place, Kyoto House, is right in front of it — it’s a two birds with one stone scenario.
In need of some more recommendations? Stay tuned for The Green Line‘s listicle this Thursday. We’ll be sharing more spots where you can find Arab and Persian ingredients.
Got different ethnic food items you miss? Let me know by emailing aia@thegreenline.to, so I can be on the lookout for them.
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