Kugel facts for kids
Noodle kugel (לאָקשן קוגל lokshen kugel)
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| Type | Pudding or casserole |
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| Place of origin | Jewish from Central Europe. Today mostly in Israel, Lithuania, and the United States. |
| Main ingredients | Egg noodles or potatoes |
Kugel (Yiddish: קוגל kugl) is a yummy baked dish that's a bit like a pudding or a casserole. It's usually made with egg noodles or potatoes. This dish is a big part of traditional Ashkenazi Jewish food. People often eat it on Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest) and during Jewish holidays. It's also a popular food among Roma people.
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What Does Kugel Mean?
The word kugel comes from an old German word that means 'sphere,' 'globe,' or 'ball.' This name probably came from how the first kugels looked: round and puffed up. Think of it like a round cake! But today, many kugels are baked in square pans instead of round ones.
People from different Jewish communities sometimes say the word differently. Jews from Lithuania and parts of Poland call it kugel. But Jews from southeastern Poland and western Ukraine call it kigel.
The History of Kugel
The very first kugels were made about 800 years ago in Germany. They used bread and flour and were not sweet. Later, Jewish cooks started using noodles or farfel (small pieces of pasta) instead of bread. Then, they added eggs to the mix.
Over time, people started adding cottage cheese and milk. This made kugel creamy, like a custard, which is common in today's sweet versions. In Poland, Jewish families added raisins, cinnamon, and sweet curd cheese to their noodle kugels.
In the late 1800s, people in Jerusalem created a special kind of noodle kugel. They mixed caramelized sugar and black pepper into it. This is called Yerushalmi kugel or 'Jerusalem kugel' (Hebrew: קוגל ירושלמי). It's often served at Shabbat gatherings and as a side dish with cholent (a slow-cooked stew) for Shabbat lunch.
In Romania, a similar dish is called Budinca de macaroane (which means 'macaroni pudding') or Baba acolo. It usually has raisins, and sometimes cheese. In Transylvania, a very similar dish is called Vargabéles.
Not all kugels are sweet! Some savory (not sweet) kugels are made with potatoes, matzah (a type of flatbread), cabbage, carrots, zucchini, spinach, or cheese.
Kugel and Jewish Festivals
Kugels are a very important part of special meals in Jewish homes, especially on the Jewish Sabbath and other Jewish holidays. Some Hasidic Jews even believe that eating kugel on the Sabbath brings special spiritual good luck, especially if it was served by a Hasidic Rebbe (a spiritual leader).
While noodle kugel and potato kugel are popular for many Jewish holidays, matzo kugel is a common choice for Passover seders (special meals). Matzo kugel is made to follow the special kosher rules for Passover.
Romani Version of Kugel
Romani people have their own version of kugel, which they call pirogo. This Romani dish is made with raisins, cream cheese, and butter.
Images for kids
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Kugel Yerushalmi packaged for sale at a market in Israel
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Noodle kugel with a crushed graham cracker topping
See also
In Spanish: Kugel para niños
