Chakhchoukha or chekhechoukha ( ar, شخشوخة) is a dish of

Algerian cuisine The cuisine of Algeria is influenced by Algeria's interactions and exchanges with other cultures and nations over the centuries. It is characterized by a wealth derived from both land and sea products. Conquests or demographic movement towards ...

, eaten often on festive celebrations, especially popular in the Aurès region. The dish consists of small pieces of ''rougag'' (thin round

flatbread A flatbread is a bread made with flour; water, milk, yogurt, or other liquid; and salt, and then thoroughly rolled into flattened dough. Many flatbreads are unleavened, although some are leavened, such as pizza and pita bread. Flatbreads r ...

) mixed with ''marqa'', a stew.

Description

Chakhchoukha is an originally Chaoui culinary specialty that has now extended to other parts of

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , religi ...

. The word ''chakhchoukha'' comes from ''tacherchert'', "crumbing" or "tearing into small pieces" in the Chaouia language.

Preparation

The ''rougag'' or flat bread is made with fine

semolina Semolina is coarsely milled durum wheat mainly used in making couscous, and sweet puddings. The term semolina is also used to designate coarse millings of other varieties of wheat, and sometimes other grains (such as rice or corn) as well. Etym ...

and, after baking, is torn by hand into small pieces. When eating in individual plates, about two handfuls are put in the plate and then the sauce or stew is poured on top. The ''marqa'' or stew consists of diced

lamb Lamb or The Lamb may refer to: * A young sheep * Lamb and mutton, the meat of sheep Arts and media Film, television, and theatre * ''The Lamb'' (1915 film), a silent film starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr. in his screen debut * ''The Lamb'' (1918 ...

cooked with spices,

tomato The tomato is the edible berry of the plant ''Solanum lycopersicum'', commonly known as the tomato plant. The species originated in western South America, Mexico, and Central America. The Mexican Nahuatl word gave rise to the Spanish word , ...

es, chopped

onion An onion (''Allium cepa'' L., from Latin ''