Kadayif is a traditional Middle Eastern and Turkish dessert made from finely shredded filo (phyllo) dough, also called kadayif noodles. These noodles resemble thin strands or fine noodles and are used in various sweet pastries. The preparation involves layering or wrapping the kadayif dough around a filling, which is typically made of milled almonds, walnuts, or pistachios, sometimes flavored with cinnamon or vanilla sugar. After baking until golden and crispy, the dessert is soaked in a sweet syrup often made from sugar, water, lemon juice, and sometimes flavored with vanilla or cloves. Kadayif originated in the Ottoman and Seljuk periods and remains popular in Turkey, the Balkans, and the Middle East. It is enjoyed on its own or sometimes served with ice cream or whipped cream. There are variations that include cheese fillings, known as kunafeh or knafeh in Arabic cuisines. The dough itself is made by pouring a flour and water batter through perforations on a hot plate, creating the characteristic shredded strands. In summary, kadayif is a sweet, crispy pastry made from shredded filo dough and soaked in syrup, often filled with nuts or cheese, and enjoyed in many Middle Eastern and Turkish culinary traditions. It has a rich history and is made with great care and quality ingredients, especially in Turkey where it is a staple dessert.