Kleicha

Kleicha (ArB|الكليجة) is a national cookie of Iraq. Kleicha comes in several traditional shapes and fillings, the most popular being the molded ones filled with dates (kleichat tamur). The sweet discs (khfefiyyat) are also favoured along with the half moons filled with nuts and sugar (kleichat joz).

They are usually scented with cardamom and sometimes rose water, and glazed with egg wash, which may sometimes be scented and coloured with a little saffron.

Etymology

The ancient Mesopotamians were known to make similar cookies called, "qullupu," which were known to be round in shape ("qullu"), also taking note that the modern term for Kleicha derives from the Semitic "kull" meaning whole, and the Greek "kolo" meaning circle, and "kuklus" meaning, wheel. [ [http://www.iraqicookbook.com/contents/cookies.html Delights from the Garden of Eden: An Iraqi Cookbook] ]

References

ee also

*Iraqi cuisine
*Arab cuisine
*Middle Eastern cuisine