by Newspot

Aşure is a traditional dessert prepared during a certain time of the year. It is well-known that Turks love to share what they have with their neighbors and it is a custom to prepare aşure in large cauldrons and distribute it to the poor. It doesn't always have to be the poor, neighbors also get to eat this dessert. 

The preparation of aşure in Turkey is an old custom. It signifies thanksgiving to God for the granting of abundance since this delicacy contains grains, dried fruits and pulses grown in the country. The recipe has many ingredients. In the past, the ingredients varied from region to region, depending on their availability. 

There is a folktale which explains the reason for the preparation of this delicacy which is as follows: When Noah's ark landed on Mt. Agrı (Ararat) there was great joy and to celebrate the end of the deluge and offer thanks to God those on the Ark prepared a delicacy with what was left on the Ark. There were grains, dried fruits and pulses on the vessel such as figs, nuts, wheat, chickpeas, almonds and apricots which were cooked together with sugar. According to this tradition aşure represents abundance and good luck. 

Aşure symbolizes various events. It is believed that aşure is prepared to celebrate the anniversary of the day when Abraham was saved from the fire into which he was thrown and also when Jacob saw his son Joseph again. However, aşure is also prepared every year to mourn the deaths of Hasan and Hüseyin, the grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad. 

In Turkey, it is customary to prepare aşure at a certain time of the year, which occurs for 10 days during the Moslem month of Moharrem. However, in Turkey, you can find aşure in pastry shops throughout the year. Aşure prepared at home is shared with the neighbors. Although it might be a bit difficult to do this in big cities, generally people who prepare aşure send a cup to each of the neighbors in their building. Others invite relatives for dinner and serve aşure for dessert. 

The recipe for aşure is as follows: 

Cracked wheat is put in water and allowed to stand overnight. The wheat is then boiled the next day. After it cools, boiled white beans, chickpeas, fava beans and a tea-spoonful of starch is added. The mixture is boiled and when it is almost cooked, figs, apples, orange peels, chestnuts, raisins and sugar are added in sufficient quantities. The mixture is boiled once more. After it is cooled, it is poured into small cups. Then ground walnuts, pistachio nuts, currants, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon and sesame seeds are sprinkled on the dessert.

Visit "Turkish Cuisine" Pages