Have you ever tasted a cookie called ma’amoul (ma-a-mool)?
It is a holiday dessert enjoyed by Christian, Muslim, and Jewish families in North Africa and the Middle East. The word ma’amoul means “stuffed” in Arabic. The cookie is made of shortbread dough that is filled with crushed dates, figs, or nuts.
If you talk about ma’amoul to anyone in the know, the response will be a delighted and respectful smile. The respect is for the work that it takes to make the time-honored dessert. The delight is inspired by the aroma and taste of the crumbly (but not sweet) dough and its rich and fruity fillings.
What is most impressive about ma’amoul? Perhaps that it is one of the oldest known pastries still being baked. People from different religious communities and cultures love these round and sometimes dome-shaped cookies.
This story is from the April 2018 edition of Faces - The Magazine of People, Places and Cultures for Kids.
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This story is from the April 2018 edition of Faces - The Magazine of People, Places and Cultures for Kids.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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