Syrian Mezze Feast (Vegetarian)

Though I’ve lived in many places and have been fortunate to experience a wide variety of cuisines around the world, my Dutch roots remain an essential part of who I am. I was born in The Hague and spent part of my childhood in the Netherlands before moving abroad again. Returning this summer after nearly four decades was incredibly special—a chance to reconnect with the country where my story began, revisit familiar places, create new memories, and experience the Netherlands through fresh eyes.

One of the many highlights of my journey was wandering through Amsterdam’s famous Albert Cuyp Market. Located in the vibrant De Pijp neighborhood, the market is a true celebration of cultures, flavors, and traditions. The lively atmosphere, the incredible variety of foods, and the passion of the many vendors make it a place where you can spend hours exploring and discovering something new around every corner.

While walking through the market, I came across a beautiful little stand called Twins Olives. Their colorful display of mezze immediately caught my attention—a beautiful spread of creamy dips, vibrant vegetables, fresh herbs, olives, and warm pita. What I loved most was the way these small dishes came together to create an experience: a table filled with different textures, flavors, and aromas meant to be enjoyed slowly and shared. It reminded me that some of the most memorable meals are not always about one main dish, but about the joy of gathering around a table filled with many delicious bites.

That experience stayed with me and inspired this week’s Ragna’s Table menu. While the inspiration came from my time at Amsterdam’s Albert Cuyp Market, the flavors in this feast celebrate the rich mezze traditions of Syria—a cuisine known for its incredible hospitality, vibrant use of herbs and spices, generous vegetarian dishes, and beautiful balance of fresh, earthy, tangy, and savory flavors.

This Syrian Mezze Feast brings together traditional Syrian-inspired dishes with one modern Mediterranean creation of my own, capturing the spirit of that unforgettable market experience: colorful, abundant, and meant to be enjoyed together.

This Week’s Syrian Mezze Feast Includes:

Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes, Basil Oil & Toasted Pine Nuts
A modern Mediterranean-inspired creation featuring creamy whipped feta topped with sweet roasted tomatoes, fragrant basil oil, toasted pine nuts, and fresh herbs. This dish captures the vibrant, colorful mezze spirit that inspired this.

Muhammara (Aleppo Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip)
A beloved Syrian mezze dish from Aleppo made with roasted red peppers, toasted walnuts, pomegranate molasses, Aleppo pepper, and olive oil. Smoky, slightly sweet, and full of depth, this dip is a beautiful example of Syria’s rich culinary heritage.

Fasolia bi Zeit (Syrian White Beans with Tomato & Herbs)
Tender white beans slowly simmered with tomatoes, garlic, onions, olive oil, and fresh herbs. A comforting and nourishing dish that celebrates the Syrian tradition of transforming simple ingredients into something deeply flavorful.

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini, Sumac & Pomegranate
Golden roasted cauliflower finished with a creamy tahini sauce, fresh herbs, bright sumac, and jewel-like pomegranate seeds.

Fattoush Salad
A refreshing Syrian-style salad with crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon-sumac dressing, finished with crunchy pita pieces served separately to keep them fresh.

Marinated Olives
Mediterranean olives infused with garlic, herbs, citrus, and olive oil.

Pita Bread
Perfect for scooping up the flavorful dips and enjoying every bite of this mezze feast.