Kugel

Kugel is a popular Jewish dish and a specialty of the Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe. It is a baked pudding or a casserole that is typically made with potatoes or egg noodles with added cheese, milk, or vegetables. There is no meat in a kugel casserole because combining milk and eggs with meat is considered not to be Kosher. The name of the dish is derived from a German word for ball. Kugel can be prepared as a savory dish or a dessert, which was first made in the 1600s. Sweet kugels are topped with sugar and contain dried fruits such as raisins. Whether savory or sweet, kugel is often served on Shabbat, Yom Tov, and other Jewish holidays. It can be served either as an appetizer or a side dish accompanying cholent, a traditional Jewish stew. In some Jewish communities, kugel is believed to bring good luck and blessings, especially when offered by a Rabbi.