Ma'amoul

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. The filling can be made with dried fruits like figs or dates or nuts such as pistachios or walnuts and occasionally almonds.[1]

Maamoul are usually made during the Easter holiday, 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]

See also[edit]

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on

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.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ma'amoul.
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