Lol i had to google what kafta is. we call it kabab in Iraq. kabab mshiesh or better known as "shish kabab" I think the word shish is of Turkish origin. we use the word in raq for iron or metal bars. hence "shish kabab" is basically cooked using a shish to hold it.
Well Arab cuisine is diverse even in the same countries. There are some foods in other parts of Iraq which surprisingly don't know about or haven't tried, yet alone in other countries. With each region in each country having its own cuisine. put into consideration the Turkish, Persian, Indian, and other influence. you get quite a bit of diversity
In other note. I forgot to mention one really important sweet found exclusively in Iraq, North Iraq to be specific but its pretty popular everywhere in Iraq. It's also found in parts of Iran. There are dozens of shops which make it all across Iraq as well.
it called "men ilsima" in Iraq. Its also mentioned in the Quran in surah 2
وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْغَمَامَ وَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَى كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَكِن كَانُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ) *57*
The actual sweet is found on a special type of trees that usually produce it every 2-3 years. A chemical reaction turns the leaves into powder, then the powder turns into rock. The rocks are collected from one type of tree, other trees produce these rocks but they are bitter and cannot be used. These rocks are collected broken down, filtered, and boiled to make a syrup, then egg yolk and nuts are added. There are some well known shops which are known to make it, with each shop making it differently.
Note that there is similar looking sweets, but they are usually made from sugar and not men ilsima.
Were finally getting along, keep the subject food, makes everyone happy. lets not ruin it by turning it into sectarian, or racist thread.