Hawawshi
Hawawshi (sometimes spelled hawwaoshi; Egyptian Arabic: حواوشي; IPA: [ħæˈwæwʃi]) is a traditional Egyptian dish. It is a pita stuffed with minced meat and spiced with onions, pepper, parsley, and occasionally chilies. The major variants of hawawshi are "baladi" (standard) and Alexandrian.[1] In most of Egypt, it is baked by filling the flat Egyptian bread with the meat mix and then baking it in the oven. In Alexandria, the ingredients are placed between two circular layers of dough, then baked in an oven.[2] Alexandrian hawawshi also usually have different spices and seasonings.[1] Hawawshi has spread to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa with some variation. In the Levant, it is made using saj bread and includes hot peppers in the filling.[3] In Algeria, it is known as "muhajib" and is eaten with soup or a yoghurt salad.[3]
Alternative names | Hawwaoshi |
---|---|
Associated national cuisine | Egypt |
Main ingredients | Meat |
Ingredients generally used | Onions, pepper, parsley and sometimes hot peppers or chillies |
Hawawshi is commonly made in Egyptian homes and is also served in some restaurants, usually as a take-away. Prices at restaurants range from 10-30 guineas, depending on the size and amount of meat used.[1]Some Egyptians criticize the anonymity of meat used based on its low price.
History
Hawawshi was invented in 1971 by an Egyptian butcher named Ahmed al-Hawawsh.[1][3][4] From his stall in the Souk Al-Tawfik neighborhood in Cairo, hawawshi spread throughout Cairo and then to the rest of Egypt.[1] Since al-Hawawsh's death, hawawshi have become especially popular in Sharqia Governorate in the Nile Delta, where the best hawawshi are reported to be found.[1][3]
References
- عبد الحميد, أشرف (6 November 2017). "كيف بدأت قصة المصريين مع "الحواوشي" وما سر تسميته؟". Alarabiya.net. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- Amira (March 9, 2013). "Hawawshi – Stuffed Pita Bread". Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- إسراء, عبد القادر (23 June 2017). "حكاية أكلة..الحواوشى رغيف مصرى أصلى خرج من شوارع القاهرة". Youm7. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- "تعرف على أصل تسمية "الحواوشي" وطريقة عمل "الإسكندراني"". dotMsr. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.