Coffee lover, mama of 3 and always entertaining. While the fruit is available from the end of summer into spring, in the next month in towns throughout Turkey, the widespread preparation of “nar pekmezi,” aka pomegranate molasses, will soon begin. Ted Talk: What if a US presidential candidate refuses to concede after an election? it is not yet near day: Have you ever tasted something that is tart but also sweet? Experts weigh in on whether it’s possible, Palestinian Leader and Negotiator Saeb Erekat Dies of COVID-19, Aged 65. Two of the most famous and traditional desserts in Turkey are also centered on the pomegranate. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. It also contains vitamins B and K and is a good source of folate and potassium. To this day, many households in Turkey will prepare the dessert in abundance and then distribute them to their neighbors and loved ones. Bring everything to a boil. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Set aside. The Italians almost treat it like an aperitif as they enjoy a teaspoon of it during dinner time. Pour the prepared batter into your pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Also allows me to change up the flavours of the dressings. While Europe was slow to warm to the pomegranate, the fruit eventually caught on. ( Log Out / You can’t get a better promo that that! The molasses has a thick consistency so be sure that you’ve given it a good whisk. Desert caravans (and, later, sea voyages) introduced pomegranate cultivation to other areas– the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa and beyond. Çiğ köfte is a popular street food in Turkey and almost always served with some pomegranate syrup. Today, over ninety percent of the pomegranates grown in the United States production are grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Or, you can make your own simply by boiling raw pomegranate juice into a syrupy reduction. I discovered pomegranate molasses some time ago. I like supporting local producers so I do love picking up a small bottle here and there when I’m at farmers markets. Best for dipping warm bread as it is complemented by a good olive oil. Prepare the glazed nuts to top your cake by combining them in a small nonstick skillet (over medium high heat) with 1 t. pomegranate molasses and 4 t. sugar. On occasion, sugar is also added to enhance the flavor. Pomegranate molasses is an important ingredient in Turkish cuisine and is used to dress nearly every salad and as a sweet and savory sauce to complement spicy dishes such as çiğ köfte, which are bulgur patties mixed with spices and consumed either in a tortilla-like flatbread referred to as lavash or simply wrapped up in a leaf of lettuce. There is even a day of the year devoted to this sacred dessert, referred to as “Ashura Day,” which corresponds to the 10th day of Muharram – the first month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the day that Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharoah’s army by God creating a path in the sea. The Cortas Pomegranate Molasses is our go to brand. Pomegranate molasses: Sweet, tangy and sticky. Your email address will not be published. This recipe is adapted from one by John Willoughby that appeared in the food section of the New York Times. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In Islam it is believed that the gardens of paradise include pomegranate trees and Muhammad urged his followers to consume the fruit.