Photography by Donovan Roberts Witmer
It’s not often you see sweet treats infused with flavors like cardamom, sesame or even hemp seeds. Luckily Lancaster’s Central Market is a melting pot of cultural cuisine where we are constantly trying new tastes. And the fresh baked goods at Saife’s Middle Eastern Food are a must-try for adventurous palates.
Take the ma’amoul, date filled cookies baked in a delicately decorated mold. “I love dates,” says owner Omar Al Saife, who runs the market stand with his wife Nadia. “Our dates come from the holy land,” he adds. “Each family has their own recipe for the ma’amoul dough,” he explains of his top selling sweet. Their baklava is very popular too. Made vegan with phyllo dough, walnuts, honey and cinnamon, its crisp flaky layers covered in sweet honey are a perfect light summer dessert (topped with a scoop of ice cream, we might add!).
The sesame, cardamom and hemp seed cookies are all uniquely worth a taste too. Saife says, “I grew up eating these cookies.” Born in Jerusalem, he came to the U.S. to go to college where he attained a degree in urban planning and political science, but when his family came as refugees during the Gulf War, he created the stand as a source of income to support them. 23 years later, we’re glad he did. If you go, grab one of their new falafel sandwiches made with fresh baked pitas, or try one of their many homemade hummus flavors, samosas, spinach pies, tabouleh, stuffed grape leaves and other ethnic eats.
Saife’s Middle Eastern Food Lancaster Central Market Open Tuesday and Friday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. 717-490-5500 | www.centralmarketlancaster.com
