Pastry appetizers are special treats for Jewish holidays and
other festive occasions. These Jewish pastries can be either
sweet or savory, depending on the pastry filling. Each Jewish
community has developed their own pastry favorites: Piroshki:
Jews from Russia make these yeast-risen pastries, which may be
fried or baked. Cigars: The Moroccan Jewish tradition includes
this rolled fried pastry. Bourekas: A specialty of Jews
originating in the eastern Mediterranean, these triangular or
half-moon shaped pastries may be made of flaky filo dough, pie
dough, or puff pastry and usually are sprinkled with sesame
seeds before they go into the oven. Spinach, cheese, and potato
are the most popular fillings. Knishes: From Eastern Europe come
these savory pastries filled with meat, potato, or kasha
(buckwheat groats). The dough resembles pie dough, and the
typical form is pillow-shaped, although a standard turnover
shape is also common. Usually, knish pastry is less flaky than
bourekas pastry.