A small pastry shell or boat-shaped tart, used in cooking and baking to hold savory or sweet fillings as an appetizer or dessert.
From French 'barquette,' the diminutive form of 'barque' (boat), literally meaning 'little boat.' The term was borrowed from French culinary vocabulary in the 19th century because the pastry shells resemble tiny boats in shape.
Chef's creativity shows in food naming—calling pastries 'little boats' made them sound elegant and sophisticated, and barquettes became a signature item in French pastry shops, where they're filled with everything from seafood to chocolate mousse.
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