Kwarezimal (Maltese Lenten Almond Cookies)
Kwareżimal are dense, spiced almond cookies traditionally baked in Malta during Lent, when butter and eggs were once avoided. Honey and orange zest sweeten...
Loukoumi (Cyprus Delight)
Loukoumi is Cyprus's version of Turkish delight, a soft, rosewater-scented candy that has been made in the village of Geroskipou for centuries. It's a...
Halva (Sesame Tahini Halva)
Halva is a dense, crumbly sweet made from little more than tahini and sugar syrup, found from Turkey to the Levant under slightly different...
Basbousa (Egyptian Semolina Cake Soaked in Syrup)
Basbousa is the everyday celebration cake of Egypt, a dense semolina bake soaked in fragrant syrup until every bite is moist and sweet. It...
Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric and Anise Semolina Cake)
Sfouf gets its sunny yellow color from turmeric and its warm flavor from ground anise, making it one of the easiest Lebanese cakes to...
Imqaret (Maltese Date-Filled Fried Pastries)
Imqaret are Malta's favorite street snack: crisp, diamond-shaped pastries stuffed with spiced date paste and fried until golden. They are sold warm from festa...
Griwech (Algerian Fried Honey-Sesame Pastry Twists)
Griwech are golden fried pastry twists dipped in honey syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds, a staple of Algerian celebrations and Ramadan tables. They're...
Om Ali (Egyptian Bread and Milk Pudding)
Om Ali is Egypt's answer to bread pudding, layers of flaky pastry baked in sweetened milk with nuts and raisins until golden on top....
Fritule (Croatian Rum and Citrus Doughnuts)
Fritule are small, pillowy Dalmatian doughnuts studded with raisins and lemon zest, traditionally fried around the holidays. They're gone in a few bites and...
Rožata (Dubrovnik Rosewater Custard)
Rožata is Dubrovnik’s answer to crème caramel, a silky egg custard perfumed with rosewater and a splash of rose liqueur. It’s the dessert that...