Duqqa facts for kids
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| Type | Dip |
|---|---|
| Course | Side dish or hors d'œuvre |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Region or state | Egypt and Middle East |
| Main ingredients | Herbs, nuts (usually hazelnut), spices |
Duqqa (pronounced DUK-kah) is a yummy and crunchy mix of herbs, nuts, and spices. It comes from Egypt and the Middle East. People often use it as a dip for bread or fresh vegetables. It's a great snack or a starter (called an hors d'œuvre).
You can find Duqqa in the spice markets of Cairo, Egypt. It's often sold in paper cones. Simple versions might just have crushed mint, salt, and pepper. Other types found in stores might include roasted wheat flour mixed with cumin and caraway. Duqqa has been a part of the food in the Hejaz region for many years.
What's in a Name?
The word "Duqqa" comes from an Arabic word meaning "to pound." This is because the spices and nuts are pounded together. They are usually dry roasted first. The goal is to make a texture that is not a fine powder or a smooth paste.
The exact ingredients in Duqqa can be different. It depends on the family or the person making it. But some common ingredients are sesame seeds, coriander, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Old recipes from the 1800s mention ingredients like marjoram, mint, zaatar, and even chickpeas. Later reports from the 1970s show that ingredients like nigella seeds, millet flour, and dried cheese could also be used. Today, some modern versions might even have pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.
Duqqa Around the World
Duqqa is becoming popular in many countries outside of Egypt. In the United States, it has been featured on TV cooking shows like Top Chef, Chopped, and Iron Chef America.
In Australia, several companies now make Duqqa in different flavors. It has become quite popular there in the last ten years. This is partly due to people moving to Australia from Lebanon and other Arabic countries. Cooking shows like SBS Food Network have also helped. You can now find Duqqa in supermarkets, special food stores, and many farmers' markets.
See also
In Spanish: Dukkah para niños
