Ma'amoul

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Maamoul
TypeDessert
Region or stateArab world
Main ingredientsSemolina, dates, pistachios or walnuts
Maamoul at Vienna Naschmarkt

Maamoul (Arabic: معمول maʿmūl [mæʕˈmuːl]) is a filled butter cookie made with semolina flour. It is popular throughout the Arab world. The filling can be made with dried fruits like figs, dates, or nuts such as pistachios or walnuts, and occasionally almonds.[1]

Maamoul are usually made during the holidays of Easter, Purim, and a few days before Eid (then stored to be served with Arabic coffee and chocolate to guests who come during the holiday).[1][2] It is popular throughout the Arab world,[3] especially in the Arabian peninsula.[4]

They may be in the shape of balls, domed or flattened cookies. They can either be decorated by hand or be made in special wooden moulds called tabe.[5]

Variations[edit]

The cookies can be filled with nuts (commonly used nuts are pistachios, almonds or walnuts) or dried fruits, most commonly orange-scented date paste.[6]

In Turkey, maamouls are referred to as Kombe and the filling usually consists of crushed walnuts, ginger and cinnamon.[7]

Etymology[edit]

The Arabic word (معمول maʿmūl [mæʕˈmuːl]) is derived from the Arabic verb ʿamala (عمل, meaning "to do").[8]

Customs[edit]

While ma'amoul are consumed all-year long, they are most associated with Eid Al-Fitr or iftar as meals in celebration for the ending of Ramadan's fasting.[9] For Christian Arabs as well, ma'amoul is also part of the Easter celebrations.[5]

Ma'amoul was traditionally served by the Sephardic Jewish community of Jerusalem during Purim. It was described as the "Sephardic Hamantash".[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Maamoul: An Ancient Cookie That Ushers In Easter And Eid In The Middle East". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  2. ^ "Maamoul: The Sweet Tradition of Eid". The Irresistible Magazine by Al Rifai. 7 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  3. ^ Obayda, Gloria. Sweets And Desserts Of The Middle East. 101 Middle Eastern Delights.
  4. ^ "At the Immigrant's Table: Jewish ma'amoul pie". At the Immigrant's Table. 3 February 2014. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b Helou, Anissa (2015). Sweet Middle East: Classic Recipes, from Baklava to Fig Ice Cream.
  6. ^ Goldstein, Joyce (2002). Saffron Shores: Jewish Cooking of the Southern Mediterranean. Chronicle Books. p. 169. ISBN 9780811830522.
  7. ^ Warren, Ozlem. "Tag: variations of ma'amoul". Ozlem's Turkish Table. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  8. ^ Team, Almaany. "Definition and meaning of the verb in Arabic language - Arabic dictionary - Page 1". www.almaany.com.
  9. ^ Holidays of the World Cookbook for Students, 2nd Edition. ABC-CLIO. 2011. p. 383. ISBN 9780313383946.
  10. ^ רשליקה - Rashelika - ניחוח המטבח הירושלמי ספרדי המסורתי. 1999. pp. 82-87

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]