Shamishi
Shamishi in the middle, dusted with sugar | |
| Type | Fried dessert |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
Shamishi (Greek: σιάμισιη, Turkish: Şamişi)[1] is a traditional Cypriot delicacy, which is served usually during name days.[2]
Etymology
The name shamishi (Şamişi) means "work of Damascus."[3][4]
Origin
Shamishi dates back to Ottoman Cyprus.[2][3][5] It is thought to have been influenced by Middle Eastern cuisine,[6] or specficially, Levantine cuisine.[7]
Information
Shamishi are semolina fried pies[8][9] that have been produced in Cyprus since at least the 19th century and they are considered a traditional delicacy of the cuisine of Cyprus.[2] Shamishi are known as a dessert that is served hot in special occasions such as weddings and local religious feasts[2] usually along with loukoumades and water and it is a variety of fried pastry filled with halva and semolina. In addition to halva and semolina, shamishi includes ingredients like flour, water, sugar, mastic, oil (corn or groundnut oil), salt, among others.[2] The filling is typically semolina pudding.[9][10]
Similar dishes
Tamriyeh
Similar desserts like tamriyeh can be found in the Levant region, tamriyeh is a dessert made enveloping thin dough around a semolina pudding filling and then frying it, typically topped with powdered sugar.[11][12][13] It is made by Christians on holidays and by Muslims during Ramadan.[14][15]
See also
- Beignet
- Znoud el-sit
- Levantine cuisine
References
- ^ "THE GASTRONOMIC CULTURAL REFLECTION OF GREEK, TURKISH AND CYPRUS CULINARY" (PDF). Journal of Gastronomy, Hospitality and Travel, 2021, 4(2), 465-481 Araştırma Makalesi (Research.
- ^ a b c d e Gregoriou, Christina; Lazarou, Stalo; Yangkou, Varvara. "Σιάμισιη". foodmuseum.cs.ucy.ac.cy (in Greek). Cyprus Food Virtual Museum. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Shamishi named 'the worst-rated Cypriot food'". Cyprus Mail. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Sesli Sözlük - şam işi". Seslisözlük (in Turkish).
- ^ "Shamishi | Traditional Sweet Pastry From Cyprus". www.tasteatlas.com. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Multidisipliner Yönüyle Gastronomi Alanında Güncel Çalışmalar (in Turkish). Konya Büyükşehir Belediyesi Kültür Yayınları. p. 44. ISBN 978-605-389-524-4. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Mete Hatay (2006). "THE LEVANTINE LEGACY OF CYPRIOT CULINARY CULTURE". The Cyprus Review. 18: 130–140. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "Shamishi (Cyprus Semolina Pastries)". howaboutsomegreektonight.com. How about some Greek tonight. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ^ a b Kitinas-Gogos, Dora (28 September 2012). "Dora's recipe: Shamishi". neoskosmos.com. Neos Kosmos. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ^ Herald, The Greek (4 August 2023). "Traditional Cypriot Recipes: Shamishi". The Greek Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ عزت, نرمين (12 March 2024). "طريقة عمل تمرية سهلة واقتصادية.. «فرحي أولادك في رمضان»" [An easy and economical way to make tamriyeh... "Make your children happy this Ramadan"]. El Watan News (in Arabic).
- ^ "التمرية الفلسطينية.. حلوى الشتاء الساخنة" [Palestinian tamriyeh... a hot winter dessert]. hormuz.news (in Arabic). 22 January 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Gavin, Paola (15 March 2017). Mediterranean Vegetarian Cooking. Kings Road Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-78219-234-3. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Helou, Anissa (3 November 2015). Sweet Middle East: Classic Recipes, from Baklava to Fig Ice Cream. Chronicle Books. pp. 64–65. ISBN 978-1-4521-3062-0. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ "بالفيديو- مدينة نابلس الفلسطينية أم الحلويات الرمضانية.. مهنة الآباء والأجداد" [Video: Nablus, the Palestinian city known for its Ramadan sweets... a profession passed down through generations.]. Al Jazeera (in Arabic). 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2026.