SEAToday.com, Indonesia-Indonesian cuisine was influenced by Dutch colonial authority in several areas. Before the Dutch arrival in Indonesia, Muslim communities in Nusantara observed Eid al-Fitr by serving regional specialties such as Rengginang and Opak.

The tradition of pastry dishes was also impacted by the sociocultural exchange that occurred in the 19th century between the Dutch colonizer and the local community. The name, which has been shown to not originate from Indonesia, makes this clear.

Cookies can also reveal a person's social standing at the time, which is another reason why they began to become a custom of sweets at Eid. Furthermore, cookies last longer than traditional cakes made with sticky rice or rice flour, which become stale very soon.

Some of the famous pastry offerings in Indonesia are Nastar and Putri Salju (Snow White) where this cake turns out to have a history.

Nastar is a modification of pie. This pineapple recipe was inspired by Dutch-style pies. However, the pineapple was chosen as a substitute because it has a sour, sweet, and fresh taste, while the filling used in pies, like blueberries or strawberries, was still not commonly cultivated in Indonesia at the time. This cake was thereafter referred to as "Pineapple and Tart," or nastar.

Putri Salju (Snow white) is a modified version of Vanillekipferl, an Austrian pastry. The phrase "snow that adorns the ground in winter like in Europe" is the source of the word "snow," however in this context, "snow" refers to a sprinkling of white refined sugar that covers the whole cookie.

In Indonesia, pastries are a symbol of celebration and warmth. Guests who come during Eid al-Fitr are served cookies as a form of welcome from the host. (NADHIRA/DKD)