FOOD NEWS
What Even Is A New York Knish?
By Stacie Adams
Knishes are a type of dumpling consisting of a fried or baked crusty dough filled with a delectable center. While it’s commonly filled with potatoes seasoned with Kosher salt and pepper, some knish recipes also incorporate onions, cheese, and meat, or a porridge made from rice, quinoa, or buckwheat known as kasha.
Described as a Jewish comfort food, knishes are synonymous with the Jewish experience, particularly in New York where they remain a much sought-after treat. Simple yet filling foods like knishes were an essential part of the diet for Jewish people who emigrated to New York's Lower East Side during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The popularity of knishes in New York City has much to do with Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery. What began as a food cart helmed by Schimmel, an immigrant from Romania, has now become a busy storefront that has been pleasing customers since 1910.
While the traditional knishes prove to be most popular with patrons, Schimmel's Knish Bakery also offers a variety of new ingredients and recipes. Although you can now get this savory pastry outside of New York as well, the question remains — is a knish still a knish if it's not a New York knish?