The present moment marks the entrance of the Islamic world into a highly revered phase of the year – the month of Muharram. This period holds special significance as it involves sharing a sweet delicacy with neighbors. This gesture, a common practice in Turkey, exemplifies the local custom of expressing thankfulness and paying it forward through food gifts.
We find ourselves amidst the initial month of the Islamic calendar, known as Muharram. In the Islamic faith, this time holds the distinction of being the second holiest month after Ramadan. Additionally, Muslims observe a fast on the 10th day of this month, which aligned with July 28 this year.
In Turkey, this time period revolves each year due to the Islamic calendar's lunar-based nature. It is known as the month of "aşure" or "ashura." During this span, numerous Turkish households prepare a unique dessert colloquially known as Noah's pudding or "aşure" in Turkish. This dessert holds the purpose of being shared among family, friends, neighbors, and the community at large. With the commencement of this year's Muharram on July 19, the preparation and distribution of Noah's pudding can continue up until August 16. Consequently, it's entirely plausible for neighbors to knock on your door offering a bowl of this dessert.
Unpacking the intricacies of Noah's pudding, we learn that it carries significance across various countries and religions. It stands as one of the oldest known desserts globally, believed to have been created by Noah upon his ark's arrival at Mount Judi, modern-day Cizre. The story of Noah's Ark, renowned for saving Noah, his family, and pairs of animals from a global flood, finds mention in the Book of Genesis and the Quran. Its origins date back to around 5,000 B.C.
As for the composition of Noah's pudding, a more fitting question would be: "What isn't included?" According to tradition, Noah and his family concocted this celebratory dish using whatever supplies were available on the ark. Today, it comprises an array of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, grains, pulses, and even flowers. Intriguingly, ingredients such as beans and rose water are sometimes incorporated. This diverse mixture symbolizes abundance and prosperity, serving as an opportunity to utilize leftover pantry items.
Undoubtedly, households prepare Noah's pudding in sizable quantities, as the primary tradition revolves around sharing it with loved ones, acquaintances, and the community. The act of neighbors visiting to offer a bowl of this dessert transcends cultural boundaries and serves as a gesture of love and harmony in Turkey.
It's worth noting that declining this gesture and rejecting the dessert is considered disrespectful. Regrettably, I learned this firsthand when I declined out of personal preference and witnessed my neighbor's disapproving reaction. Hence, my advice is to accept this offer graciously to avoid any unintended offense.
Once accepted, there's an important custom to remember: returning the bowl or plate empty is discouraged. Following this tradition, the returned dish should contain something, regardless of its nature. The significance lies in the gesture itself. While I've personally gone the extra mile by placing cookies or cakes on the plate, even a bag of dried fruits or nuts can suffice.
Beyond being a dessert, the preparation and sharing of Noah's pudding extend beyond the confines of the Muharram month. It serves as a symbol of gratitude or protection and can be prepared to celebrate various occasions. For instance, families might create this dessert to mark their child's first tooth as an expression of gratitude for safeguarding the child through their first year of life.
Other food items are also prepared with a similar intent. Pişi, often distributed on the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), is a prime example. This night, observed on the 27th day of Ramadan, holds special significance in Islamic belief as the night when the Quran was revealed. Pişi, a spherical fried dough reminiscent of a doughnut, is usually gifted in a plastic bag, and the tradition of returning it filled does not apply.
Similarly, "lokma," a round fried dough ball soaked in sugary syrup, is a treat prepared to commemorate or celebrate events like a son's departure for military service. Specialized trucks even offer free distributions of lokma to those waiting in line. Lastly, "halva," a dessert made from crumbly flour, semolina, or tahini, is another cherished treat presented as a meaningful offering, including during funerals and the Night of Power.
In essence, the month of Muharram serves as a time of significance in the Islamic calendar, and the distribution of Noah's pudding underscores the cultural importance of expressing gratitude and sharing kindness through food offerings in Turkey.
We find ourselves amidst the initial month of the Islamic calendar, known as Muharram. In the Islamic faith, this time holds the distinction of being the second holiest month after Ramadan. Additionally, Muslims observe a fast on the 10th day of this month, which aligned with July 28 this year.
In Turkey, this time period revolves each year due to the Islamic calendar's lunar-based nature. It is known as the month of "aşure" or "ashura." During this span, numerous Turkish households prepare a unique dessert colloquially known as Noah's pudding or "aşure" in Turkish. This dessert holds the purpose of being shared among family, friends, neighbors, and the community at large. With the commencement of this year's Muharram on July 19, the preparation and distribution of Noah's pudding can continue up until August 16. Consequently, it's entirely plausible for neighbors to knock on your door offering a bowl of this dessert.
Unpacking the intricacies of Noah's pudding, we learn that it carries significance across various countries and religions. It stands as one of the oldest known desserts globally, believed to have been created by Noah upon his ark's arrival at Mount Judi, modern-day Cizre. The story of Noah's Ark, renowned for saving Noah, his family, and pairs of animals from a global flood, finds mention in the Book of Genesis and the Quran. Its origins date back to around 5,000 B.C.
As for the composition of Noah's pudding, a more fitting question would be: "What isn't included?" According to tradition, Noah and his family concocted this celebratory dish using whatever supplies were available on the ark. Today, it comprises an array of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, grains, pulses, and even flowers. Intriguingly, ingredients such as beans and rose water are sometimes incorporated. This diverse mixture symbolizes abundance and prosperity, serving as an opportunity to utilize leftover pantry items.
Undoubtedly, households prepare Noah's pudding in sizable quantities, as the primary tradition revolves around sharing it with loved ones, acquaintances, and the community. The act of neighbors visiting to offer a bowl of this dessert transcends cultural boundaries and serves as a gesture of love and harmony in Turkey.
It's worth noting that declining this gesture and rejecting the dessert is considered disrespectful. Regrettably, I learned this firsthand when I declined out of personal preference and witnessed my neighbor's disapproving reaction. Hence, my advice is to accept this offer graciously to avoid any unintended offense.
Once accepted, there's an important custom to remember: returning the bowl or plate empty is discouraged. Following this tradition, the returned dish should contain something, regardless of its nature. The significance lies in the gesture itself. While I've personally gone the extra mile by placing cookies or cakes on the plate, even a bag of dried fruits or nuts can suffice.
Beyond being a dessert, the preparation and sharing of Noah's pudding extend beyond the confines of the Muharram month. It serves as a symbol of gratitude or protection and can be prepared to celebrate various occasions. For instance, families might create this dessert to mark their child's first tooth as an expression of gratitude for safeguarding the child through their first year of life.
Other food items are also prepared with a similar intent. Pişi, often distributed on the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), is a prime example. This night, observed on the 27th day of Ramadan, holds special significance in Islamic belief as the night when the Quran was revealed. Pişi, a spherical fried dough reminiscent of a doughnut, is usually gifted in a plastic bag, and the tradition of returning it filled does not apply.
Similarly, "lokma," a round fried dough ball soaked in sugary syrup, is a treat prepared to commemorate or celebrate events like a son's departure for military service. Specialized trucks even offer free distributions of lokma to those waiting in line. Lastly, "halva," a dessert made from crumbly flour, semolina, or tahini, is another cherished treat presented as a meaningful offering, including during funerals and the Night of Power.
In essence, the month of Muharram serves as a time of significance in the Islamic calendar, and the distribution of Noah's pudding underscores the cultural importance of expressing gratitude and sharing kindness through food offerings in Turkey.