Hamantash

A hamantash is a delectable triangular pastry integral to the Jewish holiday of Purim. Its name derives from Haman, the villain in the Purim story. To create a hamantash, you fold dough around a delicious filling, which can be either sweet or savory.

For those with a sweet tooth, fillings might include poppy seed (mohn), prune jam (lekvar), nuts, dates, apricots, raspberries, and more. On the savory side, you can find hamantaschen filled with pizza ingredients, spinach and feta, lamb, potatoes, or cheese.

The name "hamantash" may symbolize Haman’s downfall, with "tash" meaning pouch or pocket in Yiddish. The cookie’s three-sided shape is somewhat of an enigma. Some suggest it represents Haman’s hat, others believe it signifies his weakening, or it might simply stem from traditional Jewish baking techniques.

The dough used to make hamantaschen varies. Some are prepared with butter or oil, and the texture can range from dry and crumbly to soft and cakey. The process involves rolling out the dough, adding the filling, and folding the dough to leave the filling exposed. Sweet versions are often frozen before baking to help them maintain their shape, while savory versions use a different dough akin to pie crust.

In Israel, bakeries get creative with hamantaschen, offering gourmet versions and innovative flavors. Poppy seed remains a favorite, but you can also find fillings like goat cheese with onion jam, amaretto-pistachio-marzipan, and sweet potato with feta. Bakeries like Roladin and Lehamim Bakery continually introduce new flavors and also cater to various dietary needs, offering gluten-free, vegan, low-sugar, or low-fat options.

During Purim, hamantaschen are immensely popular, with millions sold annually in Israel. They are a delightful treat that adds a touch of sweetness (or savory goodness) to the holiday celebrations.