Many food writers credit this as being a food of Lebanon and it is made in Lebanon. However, the original idea is Arabic/Islamic and is found in the Hebrew world as well. This has been made for centuries with little change to the original idea and is used in all of the Arabic/Islamic world. No matter the history it is yummy and makes a perfect mezze! Use a ricotta or dry curd cottage cheese for best results. This is also a Ramadan food for much of the Middle East and Morocco and is best/traditionally baked into the top of breads. c.\2005