Hamantash is a three-cornered cookie eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. The cookies are named after the villain Haman, who was adviser to the Persian king, Ahasuerus.Judaism 101: Purim

Hamantash are traditionally filled with poppy seeds, but can also be made with other sweet fillings such as prune butter or strawberry preserves. The hidden filling is a symbolic allusion to the hidden miracle of Purim.Chabad: Suri's Hamntash Pastry

An ongoing mock dispute in the tradition of Jewish theological scholarship is the Great Latke-Hamantash debate, in which great symbolic weight is given to an expressed preference for potato pancakes over tri-cornered cookies, or vice versa. In 2005 the debate celebrated its 60th year, although the reasonable and correct side seems no closer to victory.The Harvard Crimson: Latkes vs Hamantashen: The Promised Food University of Chicago: Schticking to their Puns

Purim is the celebration of the Jewish people's being saved from extermination thanks to the efforts of a brave woman named Esther. Esther was made queen of Persia by the king, who favored her over all of the other women in his harem. She hid her her Jewish heritage from him under the advisement of her cousin Mordecai.

The king's adviser Haman was plotting to kill the Jews, and Esther overheard his plans. Mordecai advised her to speak to the king on behalf of their people, so Esther fasted for three days and then approached the king without being summoned. This was dangerous, but the king welcomed her and listened when she told him of Haman's plans. The king saved the Jews and Haman was executed.Judaism 101: Purim