Every year as Purim approached, the smell came first. Sweet yeast dough, fennel seeds, warm sesame, and something deeper – memory.

In my family, Purim was not only about costumes and Megillah. It was also about nagoula – a traditional Moroccan bread baked especially for the holiday, with a whole egg nestled in its center.

My grandmother, Aida Bouganim z”l, from Marrakech, would stand in her kitchen with a large bowl and strong, confident hands. She made nagoula every single year. As children, we gathered around her, waiting for our turn to help place the eggs.

She would smile and remind us that the egg symbolizes “the eye of Haman.” A simple but powerful image – a reminder that even when evil watches and threatens, goodness and courage ultimately prevail.

My other grandmother, Zohara Elkeslassy z”l, from Casablanca, kept the same tradition. In both homes, there was one clear rule – the number of eggs matched the number of family members. Each person received their own roll, their own egg, their own place at the table. It was personal. It was belonging.

Nagoula is more than bread.
It is a story baked into dough.
It is memory, identity, and family.

As we celebrate Purim together, sharing traditions from around the Jewish world strengthens our community. Moroccan Jews brought their own flavors, symbols, and interpretations to the holiday – and this bread is one beautiful example.

Below is the traditional recipe, just as it was made in our family kitchens.