Islamic Society of Evansville once again hosts International Food Festival

Aimee Blume, Evansville Courier & Press
·4 min read

NEWBURGH – WISE is the anacronym of the Women of the Islamic Society of Evansville, and these ladies certainly are wise in the ways of welcoming guests to the Islamic Society with an abundant spread of exotic food unlike any other you’ll find in the area.

The Islamic Society's International Food Festival first happened in October 2002, when the local Islamic community reacted to the tense atmosphere after 9/11 by inviting everyone to the Islamic Center (then on Lincoln Avenue) to tour the building, learn about Islam, and meet, talk to and share a meal with local Muslims while benefitting the Tri-State Food Bank.

Evansville-area food news: Fish fry, Islamic Society Food Festival and more

Marieme Diao of Newburgh, left, and Zahra Sulub of Newburgh strain traditional Somalian tea made from a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves to sell during the 18th Annual International Food Festival at the Islamic Society of Evansville, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2019.
Marieme Diao of Newburgh, left, and Zahra Sulub of Newburgh strain traditional Somalian tea made from a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves to sell during the 18th Annual International Food Festival at the Islamic Society of Evansville, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2019.

Each festival since has seen an increase in attendance; now, thousands of diners converge to partake in the one-day outdoor feast, and all proceeds are still donated to the Food Bank.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a hiatus for the event, but this year it’s once again a go.

“It’s been two long years without the Food Festival and finally it’s happening. We’re trying to get back to normal,” said event organizer and board member Bushra Saqib.

A new dish this year is Jerusalem Salad, a favorite among Israelis and Palestinians. It’s a simple and fresh mixture of cucumbers, tomatoes, green onions and mint with a dressing of lemon juice and olive oil, and can be ordered as a side or added to the falafel sandwich.

Proceeds from every delicious plate at the Islamic Society of Evansville's International Food Festival benefit the Tri-State Food Bank, Newburgh, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2019.
Proceeds from every delicious plate at the Islamic Society of Evansville's International Food Festival benefit the Tri-State Food Bank, Newburgh, Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2019.

In addition to food, there will be an international bazaar, henna hand design, and tours of the Islamic Society building. If you enjoy the meal so much you’d like to make some of the dishes at home, at the bazaar you may find the second edition of the From Our Table to Yours International Cookbook by the Women of the Islamic Society of Evansville.

Evansville food trucks: A new barbecue truck offers secret recipe rub, sauce

Grab a copy of the menu to peruse while you wait to be served. It lists all food items and prices, and notes if dishes are gluten free, vegetarian or vegan. Below is a list of dishes.

On the menu

Entrees

Chicken Biryani – Basmati rice with chunks of chicken and spices. $4

Pilau – Log grain rice with spices and vegetables. $3

Butter Chicken – Chicken chunks in a mild tomato and cream curry sauce. $4

Tandoori Chicken – Chicken tenderloins marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled. $3

Beef Shish Kebab – Ground beef blended with onion, parsley and spices, then hand-pattied and grilled. $4

Falafel sandwich – Spicy deep-fried chickpea patties served in pita bread with sesame paste tahini and yogurt sauce. $4

A finished samosa, fried crispy, filled with warm spiced potatoes.
A finished samosa, fried crispy, filled with warm spiced potatoes.

Entertainment:Newburgh company again is offering dinner theatre with 3 performances

Sides

Samosa – Fried pastry stuffed with potatoes and spices. $2

Bhel Puri – Salad of boiled potatoes, tomato, onion, chickpeas, peanuts and crunchy puffed rice topping, served with chutney. $4

Pakora – Spicy batter-dipped vegetables, fried until crisp. $3

Fatayer – Homemade bread dough filled with spinach and onion or olives and cream cheese, baked. $3

A thousand savory fatayer pastries are made every year for the International Food Festival.
A thousand savory fatayer pastries are made every year for the International Food Festival.

Grape Leaves – Stuffed grape leaves rolled with rice, tomato, onion, parsley and spices. $2

Tabbouleh – Salad of cooked bulgur cracked wheat, parsley, onion, tomato, olive oil, lemon juice and special seasonings. $3

Jerusalem salad – Chopped salad with cucumber, tomato, onion and mint with lemon and olive oil. $2

Hummus – Chickpea and sesame tahini dip flavored with lemon and garlic, served with pita. $2

Muttabal – Eggplant dip with sesame tahini, yogurt, lemon juice and garlic, served with pita. $2

Pita bread – One whole flat pita bread. $1

Desserts

Baklava – Buttery phyllo pastry layered with walnuts and sugar, doused in special syrup. $2

Food and drink: How would you put together the 'perfect' meal from different Evansville-area restaurants?

Basboosa – Semolina wheat cake soaked in syrup and topped with an almond. $2

Kanafa – Shredded kataifi dough strands baked with a creamy custard filling and doused with syrup. $2

Gulab Jamun – Rich dough balls made with milk, fried to brown and soaked in syrup. $2

Ma’amoul – Buttery cookie with sweet date filling, made by hand. $2

Brownies – Chocolate brownies $2

Date Cakes – Homemade pastry rings filled with dates and sweet spices, topped with sesame seeds. $2

Mango Ice – Fresh mango blended with sugar and ice. $2

Drinks

All soft drinks, coffee and chai tea $1.

Islamic Society of Evansville International Food Festival

  • When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-4 pm.

  • Where: The Islamic Society of Evansville, 4200 Grimm Road, Newburgh, Indiana.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville Islamic Society International Food Festival happens October 2.