What is the history of the Greek cookie Kourabiethes?
These popular melt-in-the-mouth Greek cookies are served on festive occasions such as christenings, weddings and holiday celebrations. They’re buttery-rich and can contain nuts or not, but are always rolled in confectioners’ sugar after baking. Kourabiedes come in various forms from balls to ovals to S-shapes. At Christmastime, a clove inserted in the top symbolizes the rare spices brought to Christ by the Magi. Magi, the wise men described in Matt. 2: 1–12 as the first Gentiles to believe in Christ, were venerated as saints in the Middle Ages. The evangelist numbered their gifts not the givers, but from the time of Origen they traditionally numbered three, subsequently called Casper (Jasper), Balthasar, and Melchior.
