Although they contain meat, Maultaschen were originally a Lenten dish. A Swabian monk is said to have invented them to circumvent the meat ban during Lent. This culinary game of hide-and-seek earned the delicacy its nickname: Herrgottsbscheiserle, which roughly translates as "Little Deceivers of God Almighty".
2. Pierogi
Answer: Poland
In the 13th century, it is said that the Dominican monk Hyacinth of Poland miraculously averted a famine after a storm. Wheat suddenly appeared again. This led to the creation of pierogi (from Old Slavic for "feast"), and Hyacinth became their patron saint.
3. Tortellini
Answer: Italy
The poet Giuseppe Ceri (1839-1925) recounts how Bacchus, Mars, and Venus once stopped at an inn in Emilia-Romagna. During the night, the innkeeper caught a glimpse of Venus naked - and fell instantly in love. Haunted by the image of her beautiful navel, he recreated that intimate detail in dough.
4. Varenyky
Answer: Ukraine
Ancient Ukrainians believed that varenyky resembled the moon. These cheese-filled dumplings were offered as sacrificial food at spring fountains. Known as "moon bites", they are now considered to bring good luck and are Ukraine's national dish.
5. Pelmeni
Answer: Russia
"Pel" means "ear" in Udmurt, a language spoken in the western Urals region. Nomads created pelmeni as a way of making food that was both durable and portable - perfect for the region's icy winters. Even today, Russian families still gather together to prepare and freeze large quantities of pelmeni.
6. Manti
Answer: Turkey
Manti were a favourite of the sultans. Even today, the smaller the lamb-filled manti, the more respect is shown for the maker's skill.
7. Khinkali
Answer: Georgia
Khinkali hail from Georgia's mountains, especially the Mtiuleti region, where they fuelled warriors and shepherds. They are traditionally still eaten by hand: you twist the top, take a bite, sip the broth from the pouch and then enjoy the rest.
8. Buuz
Answer: Mongolia
Genghis Khan's 13th-century Mongol hordes may have been responsible for spreading buuz. These fat-enriched meatballs, which were wrapped in dough for easy transport, were ideal for conquests.
9. Dim sum
Answer: China
Dim sum literally means "touching the heart". During the Song dynasty (960-1279), the imperial kitchens created a variety of small dishes that would become the precursors to southern Chinese teahouse snacks, which spread via the Silk Road.
10. Mandu
Answer: Korea
According to one legend, mandu originated in the Three Kingdoms era (3rd century), when a general created dough parcels that resembled enemy heads. Another story attributes their introduction to Korea to Mongol invaders around 1000 AD.
11. Gyoza
Answer: Japan
After the Second World War, Japanese soldiers who had been stationed in China were reluctant to give up the dumplings they had grown to love, so they recreated them back home. Today, gyoza festivals attract visitors from around the globe to Japan.
12. Samosa
Answer: India
Samosas originated in Persia or Central Asia - the Persian word "sanbosag" means "triangular shape". Today, they are iconic in India and beloved worldwide. However, the world's largest samosa, weighing 153.1 kilograms, was crafted in Britain, the former colonial power, in 2017.
13. Empanadas
Answer: Spain and South America
Spanish sailors brought empanadas from Galicia to Latin America in the 16th century. They were ideal for long voyages as they were easy to transport and filling. According to legend, Christopher Columbus's cook stocked the Santa Maria with them.
14. Salteņas
Answer: Bolivia
Legend says an Argentine woman from Salta emigrated to Bolivia and began selling a new kind of empanada. People simply called them "the ones from Salteņa"-that's how the name was born. They're mildly sweet and very juicy.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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