Maza (also spelled mezza) is the Middle Eastern version of Spanish tapas or Chinese dim sum. It’s served as an appetizer to a fancy meal for a guest, or as a small meal in itself. There are hundreds of dishes that can be served, but the most familiar to us are things like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and baba ghanouj. The beverage often served with it is arak, or arack.
The photo here is from Claire and Ryan’s 2013 travel-themed wedding. The guests were asked to bring food representing all the cuisines of the world.
Here’s a short list of some of the hundreds of foods served for maza:
Hummus habb
Yogurt cheese balls
Abakadoo ma’ taheena (Middle Eastern guacamole)
Olive dip
Pita bread triangles
Hummus
Baba ghanouj
Samak Miqlee (fish rolls)
Salads (Try Algerian Salad or Khissoo or Tabouli)
Stuffed grape leaves
Nuts
Tart fruits
Salted seeds
Cheese
Marinated bone marrow
Liver
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Greens
Vegetables cooked in olive oil
Kubbeh
Pickles
Olives
Seafood
Preserves