berber nomad For centuries, the Berbers have traversed the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert. Whenever they paused to take a break, these North African nomads embraced a traditional culinary practice, making use of the sand beneath their feet to prepare nourishing meals. Among their cherished sand-baked dishes, one standout is the Madfouna, a stuffed flatbread bursting with a diverse array of ingredients like various meats, nuts, vegetables, herbs, and spices—whatever happens to be on hand. This culinary creation is reminiscent of pizza dough to foreign onlookers. Moroccan Berbers engaged in the tourism industry near the Erg Chebbi dunes, close to the Algerian border, affectionately refer to this delicacy as “Berber pizza.”

To craft an authentic Madfouna, Berbers require no conventional cookware. They fashion a pit within the sandy terrain, kindle a small fire, and position stones over the flames. After rolling out the dough and generously stuffing it with a mixture of elements, including beef, eggs, almonds, onions, cumin, and paprika, they delicately place the pie upon the heated stones and then bury it beneath a layer of sand. Following the cooking process, the chef skillfully employs a cloth and a knife to scrape away the charred outer layer, which has been in direct contact with flame, rocks, and sand. Finally, the Madfouna is sliced into wedges and graciously shared among the cook and their companions, the smoky aroma enveloping the moment.