A foodie is a person who eats not only to satisfy hunger, but for the pure enjoyment of food’s ingredients, preparation, and presentation.
Of course, we all enjoy devouring delicious meals. The difference is that for someone who considers themselves a foodie, there’s a true passion behind their interest in food.
At Layla’s Delicacies, we’re foodie-friendly. From our deep cultural connection to every item we prepare to our selection of the finest ingredients, we relate on every level to the culinary passion of our clientele.
”Purchased this box to treat ourselves. Best decision ever - absolutely delicious and beautiful presentation! My family immigrated to the US from Tunis, and aside from making them myself, I’ve never been able to find Tunisian treats locally. Will definitely be ordering again for the whole family!”
— Christina, ★★★★★ Verified Layla’s Delicacies Reviewer
When you’re gifting food items, you can’t go wrong with a vegan or vegetarian selection. Good plant-based food is simply good food. It just so happens to be more eco-friendly, animal-friendly, and accessible to a wider group of eaters.
Let’s explore a few amazing plant-based delicacies—delicious sweets that are sure to please even the most sophisticated foodie on your gift list.
What Makes a Great Gift for a Foodie?
For a foodie, food is a hobby.
Appreciation of what’s on the plate goes beyond taste. There’s the appearance, the texture, and the aroma. There’s the story behind the dish and the knowledge of the individual ingredients—their source, their quality, their reason for inclusion in the recipe.
What do foodies love? Let’s be a bit more specific. Here are a few factors that are sure to catch a foodie’s attention:
- Hand-made dishes
- Foods rich in history or cultural tradition
- Out of the ordinary ingredients and preparation methods
- Creative combinations of flavors and textures
Vegetarian or vegan delights are a great gift choice for a foodie, even if they don’t strictly adhere to a plant-based diet. While not all vegan food is healthy, high-quality vegan food can be delicious, protein-rich, and full of nourishing whole-food ingredients.
Vegetarian and Vegan Tunisian Delicacies
Tunisia, like the United States, is a melting pot, a land where many different peoples blend together to form a unique society. The culinary traditions of Tunisia are diverse, like the people who live there.
Situated on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia is the northernmost nation in Africa. Algeria and Libya make up the land borders, while Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Egypt are all relatively nearby.
International influences are evident in many Tunisian foods and cooking styles. Our stuffing method was taken from the Moors of Spain. Our use of almonds is thanks to the North African Berbers, and our fondness for pistachios is a Middle Eastern influence.
On a culinary tour of Tunisia, you’ll also see a heavy influence from the nation’s French and Italian populations.
Tunisian cooking itself is a world of its own. At Layla’s Delicacies, we take traditional Tunisian recipes, select the finest ingredients, and go to work with our team of master bakers.
We hope that you and your gift recipients enjoy the delightful taste of Tunisian sweets. Now, let’s have a look at a few of our favorite vegan and vegetarian foodie gift options.
Samsa Pistachio
Samsa is a familiar favorite in Tunisia and throughout North Africa and parts of the Middle East. If you travel through these regions, it might seem like every country, bakery, and family has its own take on the recipe.
”Yummy Samsa Pistachio. This is our third order just for us! A scrumptious treat any time of day. We love the Samsas!”
— Cathay D., ★★★★★ Verified Layla’s Delicacies Reviewer
A classic Tunisian Samsa is made of thin filo dough sheets and a sweet, moist filling.
Here’s the full ingredients list for Samsa Pistachio by Layla’s Delicacies:
- Hazelnut
- Almond
- Pistachio
- Filo pastry sheet (wheat flour, olive oil, and salt)
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
We make extra thin brik filo sheets—only an expert baker can get them just right. Our Samsa filling combines hazelnuts and almonds in a sweet, savory, and crunchy blend. The filling is wrapped in the dough and then soaked in our sweet syrup.
Finally, the delicacy’s namesake—chopped pistachios—is sprinkled atop each individual pastry.
Samsa is a treat that’s traditionally shared during gatherings of close friends and family. You won’t find a better representation of North African baking, nor a better gift for a foodie who loves authentic sweets.
Almond Fingers
Almond Fingers, also known as “Almond Cigars,” were first concocted in Morocco. They’re now widely enjoyed in Tunisia, as well.
This special treat is nutty, sweet, and delectable. In our recipe, we use a hearty blend of both almonds and hazelnuts.
”Amazing. I finally tried these delectable little bites of phyllo and almond. They are addictively delicious with the perfect delicate crunch. They come individually wrapped so you can order them in bulk and readily share a handful with friends or family, by placing them in one of your numerous boxes you have from all the other Layla's treats you have ordered previously!”
— Jacki F., ★★★★★ Verified Layla’s Delicacies Reviewer
The full ingredients list for our Almond Fingers is as follows:
- Almond
- Hazelnut
- Sugar
- Filo pastry sheet (wheat flour, olive oil, and salt)
The almonds and hazelnuts are mixed with a syrup that adds sweetness and holds the filling together. Then the filling is wrapped in our thin and crispy filo sheets. The end result is a treat that’s crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Almond cigars are usually enjoyed as a morning pastry, paired with a hot cup of coffee.
22-Piece Vegan Gift Box
One delectable treat makes a great gift. An entire variety pack, of course, is even better.
”Delicious and beautiful. I loved the vegan box - delicious and beautiful. Even my picky kids loved it too!”
— Nadine S., ★★★★★ Verified Layla’s Delicacies Reviewer
A Layla’s Delicacies Vegan Gift Box makes a terrific present for any occasion and for any person—especially for your favorite foodie friend or loved one.
A 22-piece gift box includes five different sweets. These include our unique Bjewia Pistachio topped with dried rose petals, as well as a few servings of luscious Baklava El Bey.
| Vegan Gift Box Contents | |
| Bjewia Pistachio | Almond and pistachios with a layer of dried roses |
| Baklava El Bey | Crunchy and sweet mix of almond and pistachio |
| Coussin Hazelnut | Savory mix of almond and pistachio |
| Pineapple Hazelnut | Pineapple-shaped almond and hazelnut blend |
| Yasmina | Mellow blend of almond and pistachio in the shape of a jasmine flower |
Thanks to generous servings of healthy nuts, our treats are balanced—sweet, but not too sweet. They’re rich and luxurious, but healthier than the average baked good. There’s plenty of healthy fiber and protein in there, and only a reasonable amount of sugar.
Beautifully prepared and packaged, the Vegan Gift Box makes an elegant and touching present.
Gifting Vegan and Vegetarian Tunisian Sweets
Looking for a gift for your most intense foodie friend? Have no fear. Layla’s Delicacies has sweets that are vegan-friendly, foodie-friendly, and absolutely delicious.
”Love, love, loved it. Purchased for husband's bday. He enjoys delicacies and was flattered by the presentation and relished them at the first bite. I’m glad I was able to make his day better. As a vegan I was so thrilled to enjoy these gourmet treats . Definitely a big thumbs up from our end and we will be placing more orders in the future .”
— Trish, ★★★★★ Verified Layla’s Delicacies Reviewer
With a wide variety of 100 percent vegan options, you’ve got fabulous gift choices for plant-based friends, healthy eaters, and lovers of high-quality whole-food ingredients.
The Layla’s Delicacies array of sweets brings the taste of Tunisia to the rest of the world. When we first arrived in the United States, we had a hard time finding our favorite Tunisian pastries, like Samsa and Tunisian-style baklava.
Because of that absence, we took it upon ourselves to bake our own versions of everything we couldn’t find. Fast forward a few years, and this baking became a passion—and that passion became Layla’s Delicacies.
Layla is our daughter. She loves to bake and, of course, she loves sweets. Layla’s Delicacies connects our family to the taste of our homeland and our home to yours.
Based in New Jersey, we’re more than just a local bakery. Our goods are shipped all around the US. We ship all purchases within one business day, and your order typically arrives in 1 to 5 business days.
If you’ve been looking for plant-based sweets, check out our entire vegan collection. Then peruse our incredible selection of gift boxes. Send one to the special foodie in your life and put our Tunisian sweets to the test.
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