Photo Gallery: 5 Mediterranean products to taste

Jun. 29, 2012

Boat Street Pickles pickled golden raisins

Instead of cucumbers or peppers, why not try golden raisins on your meze plate? The fruit has a surprisingly sweet-tart flavor that begs for a yogurt or vanilla ice cream pairing. A unique brine also transforms figs, prunes, and apricots.
Eat Well Enjoy Life Hummus

Nontraditional beans such as edamame, white bean, black bean, and red and yellow lentils meet classic regional flavors. Try the Wasabi Edamame with ginger and black-sesame tahini, which uses non-GMO soybeans and spirulina for color.
Ozery Bakery Crispy Pitas Toasted Pita Snacks

These crispy snacks look and taste just like a crispy pita should: toasted until golden brown and sturdy enough to stand up to a hearty dip. They’re available in rare flavors like USDA Certified Organic Spelt with Flax, which boasts 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving.
The Good Bean Roasted Chickpea Snacks

Forget whipping these chickpeas into a hummus, they're made for eating as is. After roasting in non-GMO canola oil, the crunchy, low-calorie, and high-fiber and -protein beans are seasoned and packaged in convenient pouches for on-the-go snacking. Try Sweet Cinnamon, Smoky Chili & Lime, Sea Salt, or Cracked Pepper spices.
Veggie Patch Falafel Chickpea Balls

Falafel ingredients often begin and end at chickpeas, but Veggie Patch incorporates a bevy of colorful vegetables including zucchini, celery, carrots, and cilantro to provide a more balanced meal. Each four-piece serving delivers 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in only 150 calories. No GMO ingredients or artificial preservatives included.

Mediterranean-inspired foods like hummus, olive oil, and pickled vegetables have long held a seat in the sun with American eaters. But these products improve on an already good thing with more healthful ingredients and adventurous flavor combinations.