Only Ottolenghi
Published in The Australian Jewish News
February 20, 2019
The heady scent of Jericho oranges is a childhood memory which captivates Yotam Ottolenghi. It transports him back to a different time – a time when he, his father, and brother would pedal their bicycles on an ancient path once trod by merchants, pilgrims and shepherds. Together they would make the winding descent from the lofty heights of Jerusalem to the depths of Jericho.
“We would go and we would sit around in Jericho. I remember the smell of the oranges. They were so intense because it’s really hot and humid,” evokes Yotam as we chat in the lobby of a Melbourne hotel.
“There was bougainvillea and other flowers there, and we would eat roasted lamb and mezze together.”
“Then my mum would come with the car. We would load our bikes in the back and go home. You cannot ride up that hill – it would be impossible!” he adds with a laugh.