‘elb al-kusa

As Mr. Razzler and I had lunch in the pub this afternoon I started reminiscing about my time in Syria. I really shouldn’t do that because it makes me long to go back again! But Mr. Razzler is a very receptive audience.

When I was out there I lived with a family in the old city of Damascus. The house was traditional, slightly shabby and lovely. The family were loud, chaotic, mad (to my British standards) and also lovely. I remember being totally petrified of them in my first few weeks. I was invited to eat with them but could never seem to pluck up the courage. After a few weeks one of the kids (there were five of them) came down to my room and knocked on my door with a plate of food. They obviously realised I wouldn’t venture up to them without help! On the plate was some soft flat-bread (the best in the Middle East, in  my humble opinion) and a bowl of what is called ‘elb al-kusa, or “heart of the kusa”. Kusa is white courgette, paler than ours and fatter. The inside is scooped out and cooked with olive oil and a bit of mint. I sat on my bed and devoured it, and I can honestly say that it is one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted.

After that I started going up and eating with the family. By the end of the year I ate with them at almost every meal. I could write for hours about my stories, but then I wouldn’t have much left for the rest of the month! Come back tomorrow for another installment.