Sunday lunch spotlights Libyan cuisine

As a food writer, I like all kinds of cuisines. So when I heard about a Kahului resident who will share the culture of his Libyan homeland, I got pretty excited.

I admit I don’t know much about Libyan cuisine. In fact, the last time I ate some was in high school in Ohio of all places. There were numerous Libyans attending nearby Case Western Reserve, and a couple of my classmates dated college students from that country.

So through their invitations to meals I learned that pork consumption is forbidden and that saffron, mint, cilantro and cayenne pepper are used liberally along with chick peas, figs, dates and olives.

For the Maui feast, Bejo Elburki will be the chef. The setting will be at noon on Sunday, July 15 at Hawaiian Canoe Club in Kahului. Elburki will cook five courses and will feature a whole roasted lamb as the highlight.

“Bejo Elburki -- who was featured in a Maui News front-page story Oct. 21, 2011, after the late Libyan dictator, Moammar Ghaffhi, fell -- will offer the meal at Hawaiian Canoe Club at Hoaloha Park,” says club member and former Maui News reporter Kekoa Enomoto.

“The menu will include lamb, Mediterranean fried rice, a fava bean vegetarian dish, Greek salad with cucumber yogurt and a Libyan dessert.”

The feast will cost $40 per person or $60 for two. Reservations are requested. Call Elburki at 633-0250.