“Noah's Pudding”
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How To Cook Ashure Persons: 10 Duration: 60 min. INGREDIENTS: • 18 cups water • 2 cups wheat kernels • 3 cups sugar • 1/2 cup white beans • 1/2 cup chickpeas • 1 cup raisins • 1.5 cup dried apricots • 1.5 cup dried figs • 1 tablespoon chopped orange rind TOPPING: • pomegranate • cinnamon • chopped walnuts • pine nuts When Noah’s ark landed on Mt. Judi (Agri/Ararat • peanuts in Turkey) there was great joy and the believers offered • almonds thanks to God. Those on the Ark prepared a delicacy Preparation: with what was left on the Ark. There were grains, dried 1. Soak wheat, white beans, chick peas and fruits and pulses on the vessel such as figs, nuts, wheat, almonds in water overnight. chickpeas, almonds and apricots which were cooked 2. Boil the above ingredients, remove the together with sugar. outer shell or skin. 3. Soak the raisins in boiling water until they Since that day, Muslims cook it every year in remembrance of what Noah and his people went soften. through, mixing all the dry beans and wheat they can 4. Put all the ingredients above in a large find to make this pudding. Sharing ashure is a symbolic pot and boil. representation of the unity and essential relationship 5. Chop the apricot and fig into small pieces, of humans to one another and to their Creator. add to the mixture along with sugar. “Noah’s Pudding” 6. Add the orange rind. The making of ashure is a common practice among 7. Boil for 10-15 minutes. Muslim and Christian people in the Middle East. In 8. Pour the pudding in bowls and decorate Turkey, it is customary to prepare ashure at a certain with the topping a symbol of time of the year. Christian communities throughout the 9. Enjoy your pudding! Middle East prepare a similar sweet wheat dish, called multi-culturalism hedik, amah or qamhiyyi. Noah’s Pudding...different tastes in the same pot A Symbol of Multi-Culturalism Ashure prepared at home is shared with the neighbors. Generally people who prepare ashure send a cup to each of the neighbors in their building. As tradition goes the residents of forty houses to your east, west, north and south are considered neighbors. One has responsibility of maintaining good relations with their “The unique dessert, which is made up of such neighbors regardless of what their religion or beliefs opposing tastes, is not only delicious, but also may be. It is also a custom to prepare ashure in large a historical tradition and a perfect recipe for a cauldrons and distribute it. harmonious society,” according to a brochure Around the world, Noah’s Pudding Day is celebrated with advertising Noah’s Pudding at the Paris Inter-Cultural various functions, programs and activities. One thing is Dialogue Platform, in France. common in all of them; variety. People from different cultures and members from different segments of society come together and share a sweet dish in remebrance of the day Noah and his people had had together in the Ark. The idea totally fits the situation of the human. Aren’t we on the same ship called the earth after all? .