Saturday, December 15, 2007

Serbian Koljivo (Zito)

I had this dessert in a party in Hawaii perpared by a Serbian student.. Looked and tasted great... So I decided to google it and found only one recipe on Kollyva website

Ingredients:

1/2 c. honey (or more to taste)

water

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c. clean, uncooked wheat

2 c. ground walnuts or pecans

Method:

1. Soak clean wheat in saucepan covered with cold water overnight.

2. Next day: Drain water, fill pan again to cover wheat, then bring to boil.

3. Lower heat and cook 45 minutes to 1 hour, adding water when needed.

4. Drain in colander.

5. Fill saucepan with cold water again, adding wheat, and bring to another boil.

6. Lower heat; simmer for about 1 hour or until done.

7. Drain in colander again.

8. Place wheat in large bowl; add honey, vanilla and walnuts; mix thoroughly.

9. Decorate the top in the shape of a cross using Jerusalem almonds or regular almonds or pecan or walnut halves.


(Wheat is used in the Serbian Orthodox Church for the memorial service (Parastos) honoring the dead.)