Qurs simsim is a traditional Middle Eastern sweet cookie. It is characterized by a crumbly texture and a rich layer of sesame seeds. The dough base consists of flour, sugar, and fat; specific spices add uniqueness. The citrus aroma of cardamom is dominant, complemented by anise and fennel.
Shalgam is an Iraqi delicacy made from turnips slowly simmered in date syrup. It is one of the most famous Iraqi street foods. It is particularly popular during the cold winter months. Stalls offering shalgam almost invariably also offer a dish called bagilla, consisting of boiled fava beans with sumac.
Samoon is the Iraqi national bread. This bread is characterized by its unique shape resembling a diamond or a boat; it is crispy on the surface and soft and fluffy inside.
Mann al-sama is a traditional Iraqi confection resembling a firm chewy nougat. It is richly filled with nuts and scented with cardamom. The name translates to manna from heaven, referring to the original key ingredient, which is a natural resin collected in mountainous regions. Its composition is very similar to Iranian gaz. The confection is durable and does not melt in the hot Iraqi climate.
Amba is a spicy pickled mango sauce that has a deep yellow to orange color. Its taste combines the sweetness of fruit, the sharpness of vinegar, and the distinct aroma of fenugreek. Although it is today inextricably linked with Iraqi cuisine and Middle Eastern street food, its roots reach back to Jewish merchants in India.
Motal and its herbal variant zhaji are traditional Kurdish cheeses that are aged and sold inside a sheepskin. This ancient method of preservation arose from the necessity to store surpluses for the winter in times without electricity. Today, this cheese specialty is a great rarity in Kurdish markets.
