Friday, April 12, 2013

An Egyptian treat!


I think almost every town in Southern California has a farmers market, and I must say, I love it!

My husband Jordan and I try to go every week! We have our favorite fruit vendors, like the little Asian lady that always remembers us and throws in a couple extra fruits. The horchata stand we frequent because, I'm addicted! (That stuff is SO good!) The bread guy that always makes the same joke! And the many other delightful vendors. THIS week however, we discovered something new!

Kunafa!  (Pronounced, Kō-'na-fə/)

So there we are, cruising through the booths when our noses pull us toward something new!
"The Original Kō-'na-fə/", and a Ms. Diana Adams cheerfully asks us if we would like to try some Kunafa.



What is it?
"Kunafa is like the Middle East's version of a cheese danish", says Walid Nazzal on Food.com.
Diana describes it as a shredded pastry covered in a sweet sauce with a cream center.

Well, we're sold and definitely not ones to pass up a free sample, so down the hatch it goes. And can I just say...YUM! It was crunchy and creamy, sweet and savory, rich and light, all at the same time! It comes with strawberries, or caramel, AND best of all, for each piece sold it comes with a donation to help feed hungry children! (I love these people!)



 Diana says, "Every little old Egyptian lady knows the recipe for Kunafa, but none of them will share it!" She only knows the "family secret" because she conned her mom into giving her the recipe, under the condition that she must never share it with anyone (Sounds like my mom and her fudge recipe)!

So of course we bought a piece...or two, (Who am I kidding, I don't share dessert!) grabbed a business card, asked about catering (YES, ladies and gentlemen, they cater! Seriously, call this lady for your next event! All your guests will be dieing to know where you found this stuff and how they can get more!), and went on our merry way.

Though not without telling everyone we met about Kunafa! I'm serious, everyone we met wanted some!


Visit Diana's website at www.theoriginalkonafa.com to get the whole story about Diana and her desire to help hungry children one piece of Kunafa at a time...or to order yourself some of her delightful dessert!!!


Click here to find a farmer's market near you:
http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&id=2562)