DISCOVERING SWEET MEMORIES WITH PASTILLA

Whenever our family had something big to celebrate—a wedding, a new baby, or a much-anticipated reunion—Pastilla always stole the show. Picture a golden, flaky pastry dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar, hiding layers of spiced chicken or pigeon, almonds, and caramelized onions. This blend of sweet and savory is so distinctly Moroccan, it reminds me of wandering through Derb Omar, where the smell of sugar and spice fills the air.

Pastilla embodies the inventive spirit of Moroccan cuisine. One moment, you taste the delicate sweetness; the next, a deep, savory note greets you. My aunt would add a secret drizzle of orange blossom water right before baking, which she insisted captured the essence of Derb Omar’s bustling marketplace.

If you’re abroad and craving authentic Moroccan flavors, making Pastilla can feel like weaving a thread back to our homeland. Every layer of pastry and pinch of cinnamon carries pieces of our heritage, as though you’re standing in the heart of Derb Omar itself. Don’t be surprised if the warm, inviting aroma drifts through your home and beckons everyone into the kitchen. That’s the magic of Pastilla—it brings us together, no matter the distance.