Parsley Responsible
“To know a community is to know its food.”
– Gil Marks
If You Go
ish Festival
Saturday, Sept. 25, 6*–11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.–6 p.m
Learn more at ishFestival.org
The community is invited to explore what it means to be Jewish and Israeli at the ish festival, Sept. 25 and 26 in Washington Park, through a dynamic selection of artists, vendors, music, cultural activities, and of course, food.
On Sunday, you can enjoy incredible Middle Eastern dishes and cooking demos, but to get a taste of things to come, Chef Adam Cohen of Adam Cohen Catering has shared his tebhouleh recipe.
“The tebhouleh we will be serving at the festival is my take on a classic Levantine salad made mostly of finely chopped parsley, with tomatoes, mint, onion, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper,” says Cohen. “We will be using quinoa instead of the traditional bulgur wheat and I add ground cumin to add an additional earthy flavor to the dish.”
“Often red bell peppers are added but since there are some people who don't particularly like that flavor (me included!) I omit them,” says Cohen.
Tebhouleh
3/4 pound ripe plum tomatoes, finely diced
2 cups finely chopped curly parsley leaves and tender stems (about 2 bunches), finely chopped with a sharp knife
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for seasoning
1/4 cup dry quinoa
1 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves (about 1 bunch)
1 cup chopped green onion
ground cumin to taste
lemon juice and olive oil to taste (about a tablespoon of each)
Cook the quinoa per instructions. Set aside to cool.
Prepare and chop all vegetables and herbs.
Combine all vegetables and herbs, and slowly sprinkle in the cooled quinoa.
Add lemon juice and olive oil to taste.
Add salt and spices to taste.
Toss or mix all ingredients and serve at room temperature or chill before serving.
Enjoy as a side dish or on its own!
The ish Festival is part of the broader celebration of the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial. Among the vendors and programs at the festival will be Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati, Darren Goodman Glass, Cincinnati Skirball Museum, Tell and K’vell, StoryTime with Sparkle, and Mayerson JCC.
The music lineup on Saturday is Gilad Vital of Shoteh Hanevuah, Siri Imani, Ben Pagliaro, Emily Mari Belly Dance, Daniel Moss, and Drums for Peace. The headliner is renowned reggae singer, rapper, beatboxer, and alternative rock musician, Matisyahu. He will perform after sundown, after the close of Shabbat, around 9:15 p.m. Tickets are available, the doors open at 6 p.m., with a community Havdalah at 8:15 p.m. In the event of rain, the show will move to Memorial Hall.
On Sunday, the performers are Emily Marie Belly Dance, Bach and Boombox, Anatevka Klezmer Band, Ben Pagliaro, Beth Hamon, Drums for Peace, JustLove Band, DANCEFIX, Jessica L.G. Steuver, and Alma Gitana.
Sunday at ish
The festival is designed to celebrate the diversity and differences of many identities, beliefs, cultural heritages and experiences, and welcome participation from non-Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Palestinian and other culturally-identifying individuals.