Fatayer facts for kids
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| Type | Meat pie |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Palestine, Syria, Israel, Yemen |
| Main ingredients | Meat, spinach, cheese or Za'atar |
A fatayer (Arabic: فطاير, romanized: faṭāyir) is a delicious pastry or small pie that's popular in the Middle East. Think of it like a mini turnover or a savory pocket of dough. It's usually filled with tasty ingredients like seasoned meat, fresh spinach, or different kinds of cheese.
Fatayer is a big part of Levantine cuisine, which comes from a historical area in the Middle East. You can find these yummy pastries eaten in many countries, including Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, and Israel. They're so popular that even in Argentina, you can find a version called empanada árabe, which is similar to a fatayer!
Contents
What is Fatayer?
Fatayer are small, baked pastries that are often shaped like triangles, boats, or half-moons. They are made from a simple dough, similar to bread or pizza dough, which is then filled and baked until golden brown. They are a popular snack, appetizer, or even a light meal in many Middle Eastern homes.
Where Do Fatayer Come From?
Fatayer have a long history in the Levant region. This area includes countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. People in this region have been making and enjoying these pastries for centuries. They are a traditional food often shared during family gatherings, holidays, and special occasions.
What's Inside a Fatayer?
The best part about fatayer is the variety of fillings! Here are some of the most common and popular ones:
- Meat Fatayer: These are often filled with ground lamb or beef, seasoned with onions, tomatoes, and a mix of spices like allspice and cinnamon. The meat is usually cooked before being put into the dough.
- Spinach Fatayer: These are filled with fresh spinach leaves that are often mixed with chopped onions, lemon juice, and a special Middle Eastern spice called sumac. Sumac gives the spinach a tangy, slightly sour flavor.
- Cheese Fatayer: For cheese lovers, these pastries are filled with different types of cheese. Popular choices include Feta, which is salty and crumbly, or Akkawi cheese, a mild, white cheese. Sometimes, a mix of cheeses is used.
- Za'atar Fatayer: While not a "filling" in the same way, za'atar fatayer are topped with a delicious blend of dried thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac, mixed with olive oil. It's spread on the dough before baking, creating a fragrant and flavorful pastry.
These different fillings mean there's a fatayer for almost everyone's taste!
How Are Fatayer Made?
Making fatayer is a fun process, often done by families together.
Preparing the Dough
First, a simple dough is made from flour, water, yeast, and a little salt and sugar. The dough is kneaded until it's smooth and elastic, then left to rise, just like bread dough.
Shaping and Filling
Once the dough has risen, it's divided into small balls. Each ball is then rolled out into a thin circle. The chosen filling (meat, spinach, or cheese) is placed in the center of the circle. The edges of the dough are then folded over the filling and pinched together to create different shapes, like triangles or small boats.
Baking the Pastries
Finally, the filled fatayer are placed on a baking sheet and baked in a hot oven. They bake until the dough is golden brown and the filling is cooked through and bubbly. They are best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven!
Fatayer Around the World
While fatayer are most famous in the Middle East, their popularity has spread. As mentioned, in Argentina, a similar pastry called empanada árabe is very popular. This shows how food traditions can travel and be adapted in different cultures, bringing a taste of the Middle East to new places.
See also
In Spanish: Fatayer para niños
