Farfel (Yiddish: פֿאַרפֿל, farfl; from Middle High German varveln) are small pellet-shaped pasta. Farfel is most prevalent in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. It consists of an egg noodle dough which may be cut or grated for use in soups, or served as a side dish. In the United States, it can also be found pre-packaged as egg barley.[1]
Farfel is mainly used in soups or served as a side dish, usually as a kugel, or prepared as a pilaf. Particularly among Hassidic Jews, farfel is served as a side dish on the night of the Sabbath, in accordance with a custom instituted by the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism.
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During the Jewish holiday of Passover, when dietary laws pertaining to grains are observed, Matzo Farfel takes the place of the egg noodle version. Matzo farfel is simply matzo broken into small pieces.
Farfel is not related to the similar-sounding falafel and farfalle.
Three television dogs have gone by the name of Farfel:
Farfel also provided the name of the titular cat in Norman Geller's children's book "Farfel the Cat That Left Egypt." [1]
In Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Maid Marian's Lady in Waiting Broomhilde had a horse named Farfelkugel (Farfel ball in Yiddish or German).