English

Knaidlach in a bowl of soup

Alternative forms

• knaidl
• knaydl
• kneidl
• kneydl
• knaydel
• kneidel
• kneydel

Noun

knaidel ‎(plural knaidels or knaidlach or knaidloch)

1. A type of dumpling eaten by Jews during Passover.
   • 1982, Bernard Harper Friedman, Choosing a Name, in Coming Close: A Novella and Three Stories as Alternative Autobiographies, page 168,

     There she tests the offending knaydl. Once again the golf ball scoots around the bowl.

   • 2000, Beth Hensperger, Fluffy Knaidlach, The Best Quick Breads, unnumbered page,

     What is real chicken soup without Jewish matzoh balls, also known as knaidlach, made from matzoh meal?

   • 2009, L. C. Tyler, Ten Little Herrings, unnumbered page,

     I checked the date on the receipt and it was only a few days beforehand – that is to say, Davidov had been in London immediately before coming to France. And paying cash for smoked salmon followed by mehren tzimmes with knaidel.

   • 2011, Phyllis Glazer, Miriyam Glazer, The Essential Book of Jewish Festival Cooking, page 21,

     Once asked on a radio show about the derivation of knaidlach, I explained that the original knaidlach were actually rock hard, and created by Azhkenazic housewives as a weapon of self-defence. […] The real origin of the knaidel, according to author John Cooper, is the south German Knödel, or dumpling—popular in German cuisine since the Middle Ages.

   • 2012, Jayne Cohen, Jewish Holiday Cooking, unnumbered page,

     If knaidl is dark in the center, ascertain whether this is the horseradish filling or an uncooked part. Don't overcook the knaidlach or they will fall apart.

   • 2012, Sue Boggio, Mare Pearl, A Growing Season, unnumbered page,

     Auntie Gussie would bring her tsimmes, sugared diced carrots baked with meat, and knaidel, a kind of matzo ball.

Synonyms

• (dumpling eaten at Passover): matzo ball