Calling Shakshuka Shakshuka even if they put pork in it

[datcherygrateful]

I recently came across a menu offering a twist on the traditional dish, shakshuka, by adding chorizo. Traditionally, shakshuka is a Middle Eastern and North African dish beloved, originate and enjoyed mainly by Jewish and Muslim communities, where pork products aren't consumed due to religious reasons. This new variation has sparked quite a debate within me, (I am Middle Eastern), and I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

I understand that we put twists on lots of dishes, and yes I 've seen feta and random stuff thrown into shakshuka, but this particular thing is bothering me a little seeing as the one ingredient that is contradictory to Jewish and Muslim dietary laws is put in it.

I'd be ok if they called it something else, like Chorizo Eggs or Spanish Skillet or something to that effect, but it is fundamentally a vegetarian dish and not only that, fundamentally originating from non pork eating cultures and in my eyes, cannot be shakshuka.

Am I being unreasonable to say you cannot call this dish Shakshuka if you put pork in it?

From what you've written, it appears to be a regional dish, rather than attached to a religion? So people who don't follow either religion p, but are from that region would be brought up eating it?

I think regional dishes are regularly adapted to suit the tastes of the place it's been taken to. For example when curry was introduced to the UK, it wasn't the same as would be made in South Asia.

Equally paella for example isn't a Catholic meal. If some added meat and ate it on a Friday, it wouldn't be offensive to catholics.

If it was a specially religious meal, it would be different, because the restriction on pork is due to religious beliefs.

To clarify, paella comes from a country where historically a large proportion of the population were Catholic

This is my feeling too.

many dishes from around the world are messed around with... it is something I find myself getting disproportionately enraged by

I'm from South Asia and what has been done to various 'Indian' dishes by TV chefs and restaurants is criminal.

Given you can buy pork free bacon, ham, sausages, salami etc in the middle east (in a very strict, totally pork free country), I'm pretty sure it could be a variation found in the ME.

Turkish shakshuka doesn't generally involve eggs so yabu for that 😉

Malaysia, a Muslim majority country has beef pepperoni instead of pork. Also beef chorizo 😂

Have you seen beigels/bagels sold with bacon, or pork? They are sold in loads of cafes and sandwich shops. A beigel is a culturally a Jewish bread. Pork - and indeed meat and cheese together - isn't kosher.

All foods get adapted and adulterated when they reach an international audience. It's best not to pay it any mind.

I was under the impression it was a regional dish rather than one specifically associated with Islam or Judaism (albeit from a region where the majority populations believe in one of those religions). On that basis I don't see the issue.

YABU.
Shaksuka originated in north Africa, not the middle east. Even it's wikipedia entry lists chorizo and merguez as common variations.

I have been adding chorizo for at least a decade. It tastes delicious, even if you do consider it to be some form of cultural appropriation.

I always thought it was a regional dish and 40% of Lebanese people are Christians, 300000 Christian's in Syria ( prior to the war 1.5 million).
Whilst pork is not a mainstay there are countries where it is sold and used.
Historically all three of religions were represented.

Mmmm shakshuka with feta.

No other comment, sorry, except that the recipe I got it from uses beef which I replaced with vegan beef.