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Türkiye · Dessert
Turkish Ashure (Noah's Pudding)
Local name: Aşure
A traditional Turkish pudding of wheat, legumes and dried fruits, topped with pomegranate seeds and walnuts.
- Servings4
- Prep8 h 25 min
- Cooking3 h 55 min
- Total time12 h 20 min
- DifficultyMedium
🌱 VegetarianContains glutenContains nuts
About this dish
Ashure is a sweet pudding made by cooking grains and legumes such as wheat, chickpeas, beans and rice with dried fruits and nuts in sweetened water. In Türkiye it is prepared during the month of Muharram, around the Day of Ashura, and is traditionally made in large pots and shared with neighbors, relatives and friends.
What sets the Turkish version apart is the generous topping of pomegranate seeds, walnuts and cinnamon over individual bowls, and the custom of giving it out regardless of the recipient's beliefs. The wheat is soaked overnight and the dried fruits are softened separately, giving a thick, sweet and filling dessert.
Ingredients
Tick the ingredients off like a shopping list.
Grains and legumes
Cooking
Dried fruit and nuts
Topping
Method
Rinse the wheat, beans and chickpeas and soak them in plenty of water overnight.
Soak the apricots, figs and raisins in warm water for about 20 minutes to soften them.
Drain the soaked wheat, beans and chickpeas, put them in a large pot with 2.5 liters of water, bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for about 1 hour until tender.
Add the rinsed rice and cook for 20 more minutes, stirring now and then.
Drain the softened apricots and figs and chop them into small pieces.
Add the chopped fruit, raisins and orange zest to the pot and cook for 15 minutes.
Stir in the sugar and cinnamon and cook for 15 minutes, stirring constantly so it does not stick.
Add half of the walnuts, cook for 5 minutes more, then remove from the heat.
Ladle the ashure into serving bowls.
Let the bowls cool at room temperature for about 2 hours; you can then chill them in the fridge.
Top with pomegranate seeds, the remaining walnuts and a little cinnamon, and serve.
💡 Tips
- Always soak the wheat overnight, otherwise the grains stay hard.
- Add the sugar only after the grains are tender, or the wheat will toughen.
- Stir often while cooking since ashure catches on the bottom easily.
- Do not chop the dried fruit too small or it will dissolve and spoil the texture.
- The pudding thickens as it cools; loosen it with a little hot water if it gets too thick.
🛒 Can't find it abroad?
- Ashure wheat — Coarse bulgur or pearl barley; reduce the cooking time.
- Walnuts — Hazelnuts or almonds work well.
- Fresh pomegranate seeds — Dried cranberries or extra raisins.
This recipe was prepared with the help of AI, following the traditional home-style method; quantities, times and steps were checked automatically for consistency. Ovens and stoves differ, so check doneness by eye.
