Qatayef facts for kids
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| Type | Dumpling |
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| Place of origin | Egypt, Levant, Middle East |
| Main ingredients | unsalted cheese, or a mixture of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, raisins, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon |
Qatayef is a delicious Arab dessert. It is often eaten during the special month of Ramadan. You can think of it as a sweet, folded pancake. It is usually filled with cream or nuts. It's a bit like a sweet dumpling!
Contents
Where Does the Name Come From?
The word Qatayef (Arabic: قطايف) comes from the Arabic language. It comes from an Arabic root word that means "to pick up" or "to pluck."
The History of Qatayef
Many people believe Qatayef started with the Fatimid rulers. However, its history goes back even further. It might have been around during the Abbasid Caliphate, from 750 to 1258 CE.
Qatayef was even mentioned in an old Arabic cookbook. This book was written in the tenth century by Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq. It was called Kitab al-Ṭabīḫ, which means The Book of Dishes. Later, Nawal Nasrallah translated it.
In old recipes, Qatayef was often filled with crushed almonds and sugar. After being stuffed, it was sometimes fried or baked. Qatayef was traditionally made by street vendors and families. This was common in Egypt and the Levant. Today, people still fill it with cheese or crushed nuts. Sometimes, they even use sweet spreads like Nutella!
How is Qatayef Made?
Qatayef is the name for the whole dessert. It also refers to the special batter used to make it.
The batter is usually made from flour, baking powder, water, and yeast. Sometimes, a little sugar is added too. The batter is poured onto a hot, round pan. It cooks on only one side, like a pancake.
Once cooked, the pancake is ready to be filled and folded. People often fill it with sweet, unsalted cheese. Other popular fillings include a mix of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and raisins. These nut fillings also have powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Sometimes, rose extract is added for a nice smell.
After filling, Qatayef can be deep-fried or baked. It is then served with a warm, sweet syrup or honey.
There is also a special way to serve Qatayef called assafiri qatayef (قطايف عصافيري). For this, the pancake is filled with whipped cream or qishta (a type of cream). It is folded only halfway and served with scented syrup. This version is not fried or baked.
When Do People Eat Qatayef?
Qatayef is a very popular dessert. It is especially enjoyed during the holy month of Ramadan. Families and friends often share it after breaking their fast.
See also
In Spanish: Qatayef para niños
