Shkedei marak facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Soup mandel |
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| Place of origin | Israel |
| Main ingredients | Flour, palm oil |
Shkedei marak (pronounced shkeh-DAY mah-RAHK) is a popular Israeli food. It's also known as mandlakh or "soup mandels" in some places. These are small, crunchy, yellow squares. They are often added to soup, just like croutons. Shkedei marak are made from flour and palm oil. They are a "parve" food, which means they don't contain meat or dairy. So, you can enjoy them with any kind of soup! Even though their name means "soup almonds," they don't have any actual almonds in them.
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What's in a Name? Understanding Shkedei Marak
The name Shkedei marak comes from the Hebrew language. The word "shkedei" means "almonds" (plural). The word "marak" means "soup." So, Shkedei marak literally translates to "soup almonds."
The Yiddish name, mandlakh, also means "little almonds." This name comes from the German and Yiddish word mandel, which means "almond."
The History of Shkedei Marak
Today, shkedei marak are made in factories. But they have a long history! They are based on a traditional food. This food was called mandlach. It was made at home by Ashkenazi Jewish families. They would fry small, crispy squares of dough. These were often served with chicken soup.
How Shkedei Marak is Marketed and Eaten
For many years, a company called Osem was the only one making shkedei marak in Israel. Now, other food companies also make them. These include Vita and Knorr. Davidovich Bakery & Sons, located near Haifa, also makes and sells soup almonds under different brand names.
Food companies have tried making shkedei marak in different shapes. You might find them as stars, rings, or even little fish! Besides putting them in soup, many people also enjoy shkedei marak as a plain snack food. They are a tasty and crunchy treat on their own.
See also
In Spanish: Shkedei marak para niños
