In the Press
Noah's pudding celebrated by Muslims, Christians -- 01-26-2008
Noah's pudding celebrated by Muslims, Christians
CARLA ROCCAPRIORE
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 1/26/2008
Local Muslims and Christians are scheduled today to dine on Noah's pudding, a recipe and religious tradition believed to be about a thousand years old.
The event starts at 1:30 p.m. at the Reno Seventh-day Adventist Church at 7125 W. Fourth St.
Noah's pudding also will be served Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the main entrance to the Ansari Business Building at University of Nevada, Reno.
Admission to both events is free and both are open to the public.
Members of the Sierra Foundation are making the pudding and organizing the events. The foundation was founded four years ago by a group of locals with mostly Turkish backgrounds who had the goals of improving society and promoting love, respect and acceptance, regardless of religion, race or culture. The foundation estimates the Noah's pudding tradition started about a thousand years ago.
"Our pastor spoke at Sierra Foundation's dinner a while back, and they asked us to have Noah's pudding at our church this year," said Wendy Liebscher, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "We never heard of it so we were curious and anxious to find out what it's all about."
Noah's pudding, also known as ashura or ashure, contains ingredients such as beans, fruits, grains, nuts, wheat and sugar.
The ingredients are significant because it's believed that after the flood described in the Bible, Noah and his family gathered the remaining beans and wheat on the ark and made a meal.
The tradition is observed predominately by Christians and Muslims in the Mediterranean and Middle East; those making the pudding often share it with neighbors and friends.
"We decided to share it with the community as well," said Ismail Ozdemir, Sierra Foundation president. "We prepare this dessert as representation of diversity and dialogue, hoping to bring people together like so many different ingredients of ashure joining one another to make a delicious dessert."
For more information on the event, call 322-9642 or 762-6217.
Noah's pudding, also known as ashura or ashure, contains ingredients such as beans, fruits, grains, nuts, wheat and sugar. The ingredients are historically significant because it is believed that, after the earth flooded thousands of years ago, Noah and his family gathered the remaining beans and wheat on the ark and made a meal.
This recipe makes 30 servings
Ingredients
1 cup wheat grains
1 cup white beans
1 cup garbanzo beans
1 cup raisins
1 cup almonds
3/4 cup peanuts
12 dried apricots
51/2 cups sugar
water (enough to cover)
topping: walnuts, cinnamon
Additional grains, fruits and nuts are optional
Preparation
1. Soak wheat, white beans, garbanzo beans and almonds in water overnight.
2. Boil the above ingredients, remove the outer shell or skin.
3. Soak the raisins in boiling water until they soften.
4. Put the ingredients from steps 1 through 3 in a large pot and boil. Add peanuts and almonds (peeled and cut in half) at this point.
5. Chop the apricots into small pieces, add to mixture along with sugar.
6. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes.
Source: Sierra Foundation
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