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Thursday, June 20, 2019

Trader Joe's Kunefe


Before we dive into the review, let me just throw this little disclaimer out there: I've never had kunefe prior to trying this product. I've had plenty of international desserts, and I love Mediterranean food in general, but this isn't something I recall seeing listed on menus. Could be it was there and I passed over it because I had no clue what it was. Now I do and I just might try it next time I'm in a Turkish restaurant.

All that to say I won't be comparing this to other kunefe. I'll just be recounting our personal experience with this fascinating foreign dessert offering from TJ's. Kinda hard to lead into a review with a personal story when you don't have any anecdotes about the product in question. I know you're all heartbroken, but my disclaimer will have to serve as the lead-in here.


Found it in the frozen section of the Halsey Street, Portland store for $3.99. It wasn't immediately apparent that it was a dessert. I mean, it would have been if I had read the blurb on the back of the box, but that's just not my style. If I learn too much about something—anything, I tend to psych myself out and lose interest. Better to dive in as blind as possible and have no expectations.

The baking instructions were easy enough even for this guy. You simply place the unwrapped tray in the oven and bake for 20-22 min. There's a pouch full of a clear, sweet syrup that you add after baking, flip the dessert over onto a serving plate, and then sprinkle a packet of pistachio bits on the top. From frozen to serving in about 25 minutes. No major mishaps or fine examples of foodie-hackery here. 

It's hard to describe. Pretty tasty if you ask me. Unusual. The outer portions are quite crispy. Wisps of phyllo dough grace the exterior of the dish. The core of the dessert is made of sweet, melty mozzarella and mizithra cheeses. The pistachio sprinkles are tastable but not overbearing. There might be something vaguely reminiscent of baklava here if it weren't for all that cheese. But as it stands, I like it, in the words of the late Chris Cornell, "cause it doesn't remind me of anything." 

I'm always down for novel experiences.

Sonia had an equally difficult time describing the flavor, but she, too, liked it quite a bit—particularly its uniqueness. If you like sweet cheeses and phyllo-encrusted desserts, it's most definitely worth a whirl. Four stars from each of us.

Bottom line: 8 out of 10.

13 comments:

  1. I haven't tried it yet. I did open the box and it's nice that the syrup is packed separately so you can control the sweetness. Can slice it up and then drizzle the syrup on each portion.

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    1. Try to cut it into slices either like the pizza way ..triangle or squares before cooking it ,then bake it then take your piece and add to it the sweet syrup,,,

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  2. It's generally spelled knafe and its origins are Palestinian, not Turkish (though many middle-eastern countries have variations of it.

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    1. I’m really excited to try the TJ’s version because I’ve had it so many times in Israel and it’s my favorite dessert! :)

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  3. Arg, I went to TJ today, but I ran through so fast I forgot to get this to try.

    They were giving samples of their Ricotta & Lemon Zest Ravioli away. Man those were so good! I need to go back and get a pack.

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  4. Actually it is Israeli, and usually spelled “Konafi”, but it’s popular across the whole region. There are delicious versions of it you can make in the Israeli Cookbook Zahav and also Israeli Soul, by Michael Solomonov. There are elevated versions of it available in restaurants in Tel Aviv, but one of the best is at a little place called Zalatimo’s in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem.

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    1. It's a quintessentially Palestinian dessert that has become favored by Israelis. It is not, however, "Israeli."

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  5. This kunafa (spelling aside) is In fact the Palestinian variation like that from Nablus which is regarded as the OG version in the region.

    Source- I have been through this argument enough and been to the original town where it’s from

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  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. I ate a whole one at lunch in Istanbul last month and now am sick seeing 900 calories. Ah well. It was delicious.

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  8. I make it at home based on a family recipe from relatives in Aleppo Syria. Wonder how this compares

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    1. Can you share your recipe? My email is delightfuldelia64@gmail.com 💕

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  9. Yes it is originally Palestinian and a second close would be the Lebanon version

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