asure

in turkey, and the middle east in general, it is tradition at a certain time of year to make asure, or 'noah's pudding,' to share with friends and neighbors. it's said that in turkey it is made as a symbol of unity and the essential relationship of all humans.

as the story goes, this delicacy was first prepared when noah's ark landed on mt. judi. in celebration they took every morsel left on the ark, combined it with sugar, and what came out was asure. it included grains, dried fruits, figs, nuts and chickpeas. muslims make it today in remembrance of what noah and his people went through.

last night just after we'd finished dinner our doorbell rang. ben went to the door and came back with this:

our downstairs neighbor had made some especially for us! it was absolutely delicious, perhaps made even sweeter knowing the meaning behind it. now we will have to think of a thoughtful way to return the dish- as, in turkish tradition, you can never return a dish empty!