Osmalieh
| Alternative names | Osmalieh |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Serving temperature | Warm or cold |
| Main ingredients | Kataifi dough, qishta (clotted cream), sugar syrup |
Osmalieh (Arabic: عثملية) (also spelled Othmaliye) is a dessert popular in the Levant, it is made from 2 layers of string-like dough (similar to kadayif) with a layer of qishta sandwiched between them. It is said to date back to the Ottoman Empire where it was served to Sultans.[1][2][3]
Name
The name Othmalieh is derived from the name Ottoman or Othman.[1][2] The spelling may vary, sometimes the name Osmalieh (Arabic: عصملية) is used.[4][5]
Preparation and Ingredients
Traditionally, the dough is pressed into a cake pan, and then fried in ghee or cooking oil, this is done for 2 layers, and then qishta is placed upon one layer, with the second layer placed over the qishta, forming a "sandwich" like confection.[1][2][6]
After preparation is done, it is garnished with ground pistachio, qatir, lemon or orange blossom, and flower petals. It can be served cold or hot.[1][2]
Consumption
The dessert is popular in the Levant region as well as the broader Arab world.[7] It is commonly eaten in the month of Ramadan.[1][2]
Osmalieh is a very popular holiday dessert in Lebanon, and is often associated with Lebanese cuisine.[8][9][10]
Variations and Similar Dishes
Contemporary Levantine variations of osmalieh use alternate fillings like ice cream or cream cheese.[11]
Um naren (Arabic: أم نارين) is a Syrian type of knafeh made from 2 layers of string dough with qishta or cream in between.[12][13][14]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "العثملية تغزو المائدة العربية". Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (in Arabic). 12 June 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Salah, Maha (3 July 2020). "Othmaliye". Middle East Monitor. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "حلوى المولد: راحة «عثملية» في صيدا القديمة". الأخبار (in Arabic). Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "L.A.'s best sweets, treats and buttery breads". Los Angeles Times. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "«العصملية»". www.emaratalyoum.com (in Arabic). 26 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "حلوى العثملية على طريقة الشيف أنطوان". LBCIV7 (in Arabic). Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Qatar Food Trail: In search of delicious Kanafeh". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Café Beirut Just Opened In Dubai". www.the961.com. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ Dekmak, Hussien. "Osmalieh Vermicelli Dessert Recipe | Bakepedia". Bakepedia. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Amid soaring inflation, Lebanese look for cheaper alternatives to traditional Ramadan desserts". Arab News. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "«العصملية»" [Osmalieh]. Emarat Al Youm (in Arabic). 26 May 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ^ "الكنافة النابلسية سفيرة الحلوى الفلسطينية في دمشق" [Nablus Kunafa, the ambassador of Palestinian sweets in Damascus]. Asharq Al-Awsat (in Arabic). 10 Apr 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "حلويات بطعم "الثورة السورية" في غزة" [Sweets with the flavor of the "Syrian revolution" in Gaza]. Safa (in Arabic). 13 May 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "سوري يحول "مرارة" نزوحه لـ"حلوى" في أفواه الغزيين" [A Syrian turns the bitterness of his displacement into a sweet treat for Gazans]. Anadolu Agency (in Arabic). 24 Apr 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2025.