The dish’s name means “all mixed up” due to the hodge-podge of ingredients. Ironically, the history of the Shakshuka is just as messy. Some historians say it originated in Yemen, while others claim it came from the Ottoman Empire. What we do know for sure is that the Shakshuka became a popular dish for North African immigrants arriving in Israel.

Given the financial hardship they suffered, a hearty dish consisting of cheap ingredients like eggs, peppers and bread became a household favourite. It’s also relatively easy to cook and served in the pan, saving on dishes (yass.) While there are many variations of the recipe, the classic Shakshuka is made up of eggs cooked in tomato sauce and peppers and served with bread for dipping.