What Is Baklava?

Baklava is a delicious dessert found in many restaurants and delis around the nation, yet it is still an enigma to most people. Many nations can claim the bragging rights to this sweet and savory dessert because the history of Baklava is not well documented. However, the name is Turkish in origin and the dish is believed to have originated during the Ottoman Empire. 

Typically, the dessert is made of layers of phyllo dough, with different spices (such as cardamom or cinnamon) and chopped nuts like pistachios. However, many cultures throughout Europe and the Middle East have their own versions of baklava, some even topping it with rose water instead of honey. 

(Photo courtesy of flickr/Grace Fell).