Mataz (
Circassian: мэтазэ), often called psyhaluje (
Circassian: псыхьалыжъо) or haluš, are filled
dumpling
Dumplings are a broad class of dishes that consist of pieces of cooked dough (made from a variety of starchy sources), often wrapped around a filling. The dough can be based on bread, wheat or other flours, or potatoes, and it may be filled wi ...
s in
Circassian cuisine. They are made by wrapping pockets of
unleavened dough
Dough is a malleable, sometimes elastic paste made from flour (which itself is made from grains or from leguminous or chestnut crops). Dough is typically made by mixing flour with a small amount of water or other liquid and sometimes includes ...
around a
filling and cooking them in boiling water.
The dough, which is made by mixing flour and warm water, sometimes with an egg, is rolled flat and then cut into squares with a knife or circles using a cup or drinking glass. It may be stuffed with mashed potatoes and fried onions, and can be seasoned with chili pepper.
Typically, these dumplings also consist (singularly or in combinations) of a spiced meat mixture, usually
lamb or
ground beef
Ground beef, hamburger, hamburger meat (North American English), minced beef or beef mince (Commonwealth English; often just generically referred to as ground meat, ''mince'' or ''mincemeat'') is beef that has been finely chopped with a knife or ...
, with greens, sauerkraut, and onions, put in a dough wrapper, either boiled or steamed. Mushrooms or cheese may be used in place of meat.
Closely related to
halušky and
pierogi
Pierogi ( ; ) are filled dumplings made by wrapping Leavening, unleavened dough around a Stuffing, filling and cooked in boiling water. They are occasionally flavored with a savory or sweet garnish. Typical fillings include potato, cheese, ...
(varenyky), psyhaluje may be served with a topping, such as melted butter, fried onion, or combinations of these ingredients. Sour cream and yoghurt are non-traditional options.
References
{{dumplings
Circassian cuisine