The first time my daughters met their grandparents was in the summer of...
The first time my daughters met their grandparents was in the summer of 1997, it was their first stay in Lebanon. We spent months in our village in the mountains, and one particular moment that comes to me each time I make stuffed #zucchine (#محشي# كوسا) was when we first met my father in law’s twin brother Youssef. He was a goat herder who, along with his wife and 5 children, spent their nights sleeping under the stars, in caves or in makeshift tents. It was late afternoon when we spotted uncle Youssef coming towards us surrounded by approximately 200 sheep and goats. The herd contentedly followed his orders leading them to their resting place for the night. His wife and children scurried around preparing buckets and pots for the milking. The herd appeared to line up without any coaxing, almost pleading for the milking process to begin. One by one the goats and sheep were milked and one by one they headed off to their favourite rock or patch of grass to rest for the night.
The milk was then boiled and put into containers and left to set for yoghurt or cheese to be taken into the city to be sold. I might add that it was the best cheese and yoghurt I have ever tasted. Till this day my eldest daughter still remembers and talks about that otherworldly moment. I used my own homemade yoghurt to cook this zucchini dish and although it’s one of my daughters’ favourites, I feel I am forever trying to emulate uncle Youssef’s creamy fresh mountain #yoghurt, a taste that will stay with me forever.🌹🌹
by sahtein_lebanesefeasts / Instagram