Sourdough Twisted Sesame Rings

Simeat are well known throughout the eastern Mediterranean countries. Despite some differences, they are all shaped into rings and are generously encrusted with sesame seeds. The authentic varieties, like Iraqi simeat, are closely related to bagels, in that they are poached in hot water before baking (but this is not done in this recipe). In fact, the name of these pastries originally came from this practice because the root verb samata means ‘dip briefly in hot water’.