Funnel cake

Funnel cake
	Funnel cake with no toppings
Alternative names	Funnel fries, carnival cake
Type	Doughnut
Place of origin	United States
Region or state	Pennsylvania
Main ingredients	Batter,cooking oil
	Media: Funnel cake;

Funnel cake(Pennsylvania German:Drechderkuche^[1]) is a regional sweet food popular in North America, found mainly at carnivals and amusement parks.^[2]It is made by deep-frying batter.

History

The concept of the funnel cake dates back to the early medieval Persian and Arab world aszalabiyeh,where similar yeast-risen dishes were first prepared, and later spread to Europe.^[3]Pennsylvania Dutchimmigrants brought the yeast dish, known asdrechderkuche,to America, and around 1879, they developed the baking powder version along with its new name, funnel cake.^[3]

Preparation

Funnel cakes are made by pouringbatterinto hotcooking oilin a circular pattern anddeep fryingthe overlapping mass until golden-brown. The batter is commonly poured through afunnel,creating its texture and giving it its name. When made at concession stands, a pitcher with an integralfunnelspout is employed.Alton Brownrecommends they be made withchoux pastry,^[4]which expands from steam produced by its high water content.

Funnel cakes are typically served plain withpowdered sugarbut can also be served withjam/jelly,cinnamon,chocolate,freshfruit,or other toppings.

Cultural variations

Europe

In southGerman cuisine,the equivalent is calledStraubenorStriebleand is made and served similarly. InFinnish cuisine,the analogoustippaleipä(literally droplet bread) is traditionally served at May Day (Vappu) celebrations, alongsidesima.In Lithuania, it is calledskruzdėlynas,which literally translates to "ant nest". It is normally made in early spring to empty last year's honey stock and make more space for the new one, and it is also made at the first harvest of honey. The Armenian equivalentmrjnabujn(hy:Մրջնաբույն (տորթ)) also translates to "ant nest".

Asia

In the Indian subcontinent, a similar dessert, with a crystallized sugary exterior coating, is calledjalebi.^[5]In Iran, this is known aszulbiaand is a popular dessert.^[6]These differ from funnel cake in using no baking powder, which results in a somewhat chewy texture.^[3]

Kumukunsiis another similar native doughnut from theMaguindanao peoplein thePhilippines.It is made withrice flour,duck eggs, and sugar that is molded into rope-like strands and then fried in a loose spiral. They have the taste and consistency of creamy pancakes.^[7]^[8]

United States

In the U.S., funnel cakes were originally associated with thePennsylvania Dutch Country.It is one of the first North American fried foods, which is associated with the Pennsylvania Dutch, German immigrants who came to Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, it is a staple dish that can be found at amusement parks and fairs all over the country. The name "funnel" later came from the technique used to make the cakes, in which the pancake-like batter is poured into hot oil through a funnel.^[9]

References

^"Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary".www.padutchdictionary.com.
^"Funnel Cakes".Archived fromthe originalon 2022-08-29.Retrieved2022-07-20.
^^a ^b ^cMarks, Gil (17 November 2010).Encyclopedia of Jewish Food.ISBN 9780544186316.
^Carter, Noelle (24 June 2016)."Funnel cakes for everyone!".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2016.Retrieved18 October2021.After testing a number of recipes, I preferred one that usespâte à choux,or "choux paste," the same batter used in the making of cream puffs, eclairs, crullers and churros — and the same that Alton Brown uses in his funnel cake recipe.
^"Apple funnel cakes (jalebi)".SBS Food.2019-02-02.Retrieved2022-12-06.
^"Mashti Malone's Zoolbia".Woman's Day.2020-10-09.Retrieved2022-12-06.
^"Kumukunsi".ChoosePhilippines. 30 July 2013.Retrieved29 January2017.
^Leslie Joyce Belais (27 December 2012)."Doon Po Sa Amin: Kinikilala Ang Pagkaing Muslim".Prezi.Retrieved29 January2017.
^"The Origins of Two American Fried Dough Classics: Funnel Cakes and Elephant Ears".2014-03-26.Retrieved2017-06-13.

Sources

"Calories in Funnel Cake and Nutrition Facts".FatSecret.May 17, 2015.RetrievedMay 21,2015.

External links

Media related toFunnel cakesat Wikimedia Commons
The dictionary definition offunnel cakeat Wiktionary

[1] "Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary".www.padutchdictionary.com.

[2] "Funnel Cakes".Archived fromthe originalon 2022-08-29.Retrieved2022-07-20.

[book-3] Marks, Gil (17 November 2010).Encyclopedia of Jewish Food.ISBN 9780544186316.

[4] Carter, Noelle (24 June 2016)."Funnel cakes for everyone!".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2016.Retrieved18 October2021.After testing a number of recipes, I preferred one that usespâte à choux,or "choux paste," the same batter used in the making of cream puffs, eclairs, crullers and churros — and the same that Alton Brown uses in his funnel cake recipe.

[5] "Apple funnel cakes (jalebi)".SBS Food.2019-02-02.Retrieved2022-12-06.

[6] "Mashti Malone's Zoolbia".Woman's Day.2020-10-09.Retrieved2022-12-06.

[kum1-7] "Kumukunsi".ChoosePhilippines. 30 July 2013.Retrieved29 January2017.

[kum2-8] Leslie Joyce Belais (27 December 2012)."Doon Po Sa Amin: Kinikilala Ang Pagkaing Muslim".Prezi.Retrieved29 January2017.

[9] "The Origins of Two American Fried Dough Classics: Funnel Cakes and Elephant Ears".2014-03-26.Retrieved2017-06-13.

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