#ashure

Alevis in Turkey cook this pudding traditionally and share it during the days of fasting to coincide Battle of Karbala in which they abstain from eating meat. 

Ashure is made in large quantities and distributed to friends, relatives, neighbors, colleagues, classmates, etc. regardless to their religion or belief. Ashure is offered with peace and love. It is traditionally made and eaten during colder months but now it is made year-round. 

Word Origin

The word comes from the Arabic word, Ashura (عاشوراء ), the meaning is tenth. In Turkish tradition, it is made on or after 10th Muharram in Islamic Lunar Calendar. Also, in Turkish Aş means food or mixed porridge. It is derived from the Persian word “Ashur” meaning mixing. 

Evliya Çelebi defined Aşure in his travel book (Seyehatname) as “Ashure is a porridge (aş) that should be cooked at the tenth of Muharram.”

History

It is claimed that when Noah’s Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, Noah’s family celebrated with a special dish. They cooked this dish with the supplies that were left: grains, dried fruits… The ingredients were cooked together to form a pudding. Turkish families cook this dish to remember the event and they distribute it to families, friends, relatives and to the poor. 

Ingredients

This can be made variously as it doesn’t have only one recipe. Traditionally, it is said to be that it should have at least seven ingredients. Some say that it should follow the tradition of “ten”, and, Alevis use twelve ingredients. 

Wheat, barley, rice, white beans, chickpeas, sugar or molasses produced from grapes, pomegranates, beets, dried fruits (apricots, pears) and nuts like almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Some variants are flavored with cinnamon, rose water, etc. 

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Thanks for reading! I will continue posting about the Turkish culture every Tuesday, you can keep up with the series below this text by clicking the links, I will keep updating the posts for adding links. Thank you :)

TURKISH DELIGHT (LOKUM) | {Turkish Culture 1/Türk Kültürü 1}

DONDURMA (MARAŞ DONDURMASI) | {Turkish Culture 2/Türk Kültürü 2}

TURKISH TEA (TÜRK ÇAYI) | {Turkish Culture 3/Türk Kültürü 3}

TARHANA (TARHANA ÇORBASI) | Turkish Culture 4/Türk Kültürü 4}