in 1838 edward robinson noted 200 reapers and gleaners at work in a field near al-qubayba (which he called "kubeibeh"). he added: "some were taking their refreshment, and offered us some of their "parched corn." in the season of harvest, the grains of wheat, not yet fully dry and hard, are roasted in a pan or an iron plate, and constitute a very palliative article of bread; this is eaten along with bread, or instead of it." robinson further noted "kubeibeh" as a muslim village, in the gaza district.