Pickled cucumbers with dill

There are some foods that can be found on pretty much any dining table in Jerusalem. Pickles, particularly pickled cucumbers, are a safe bet. Their sharp, often overwhelming intensity is completely compatible with the local character.

Pickles are frequently served at the beginning of meals to encourage the appetite, or alongside substantial, often fatty dishes in order to balance their richness. Palestinian and Jewish restaurants always serve pickles with hummus. The Ashkenazi cucum