“ASHURE”: Bitter and Sweet Stories in One Bowl

Ashura Day is the 10th day of Muharram according to the Islamic calendar and is an important day for Sunni Muslims. The miracles of many prophets, such as the salvation of Moses and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh's oppression, are commemorated on this day. According to the Sunni school of thought, fasting on this day is a Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad also fasted on this day and recommended it to his ummah.

However, the Shia school of thought has a different meaning for Ashura. According to the Shia, Ashura is a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Hussein and his family in Karbala. Therefore, Shia people primarily observe this day in mourning and lamentation.

In short, for Sunni Muslims, Ashura is a day of worship, fasting, and gratitude. For Shia, it commemorates and mourns the events of Karbala.

According to legend, Noah's Ark survived the Flood and landed on Mount Judi on the Day of Ashura. As is known, Noah, upon God's command, took his believers aboard an ark he had built. When the Flood occurred, those who did not believe were drowned and destroyed.

The acceptance of Adam's repentance, Abraham's salvation from Nimrod's fire, Jacob's reunion with his son Joseph, and the salvation of Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh's oppression are among the events reported to have occurred on the Day of Ashura.

This year, Ashura Day begins on Saturday, July 5th and continues until July 26, 2025.

What is Ashura dessert?

A food prepared by boiling legumes and nuts such as wheat, beans, chickpeas, apricots, and figs is called "ashure." The practices surrounding the cooking and distribution of this food during the month of Muharram, according to the Islamic calendar, are called "ashure tradition." The name "ashure" comes from the Arabic word "ashura" and is derived from the Hebrew word "asor," meaning "tenth."

What is Ashura made for?

There are many stories about the events believed to have occurred in Muharram, known as the month of Ashura in Turkey. The most widely known of these are the grounding of Noah's Ark, the acceptance of Adam's repentance, and Abraham's salvation from the fire. Ashura, observed on the 10th day of Muharram, is commonly observed to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of Muhammad, in Karbala.

The ingredients, date of preparation, and purpose of Ashure vary depending on the meaning communities that practice the Ashure tradition attach to this day. While the variety and number of ingredients vary depending on the communities that practice it, Ashure is renowned for its multitude of ingredients. It is generally prepared by boiling dehulled wheat, along with legumes and nuts such as beans, chickpeas, apricots, walnuts, grapes, and figs, for a long time.

Prayers are said for the cooked ashure; it is served first to the sick and children, believed to have healing properties, and then distributed to many others, starting with close neighbours. The ashure container is returned unwashed. Any leftover ashure is poured at the base of fruit trees, believed to encourage more fruit production.

The Ashure tradition has found its place in Islamic sects, as well as being known by various names among Jews and Christians. Known and still practiced throughout Anatolia, the Ashure tradition has been transformed into a festival through various events organized by village associations.

What Ingredients are Used to Make Ashure?

Ingredients

• 3 cups wheat for Ashure
• 1 cup beans
• 1 cup chickpeas
• 1 cup raisins
• 7 figs
• 7 apricots
• 6 cups sugar
• 3 single cloves (boiled in a pot and drained)
• Cinnamon
• Walnuts

How to Make Ashure?

The preparation of ashure varies from region to region in our country. We'd like to share a recipe from our book, Anatolian Cooking Art. The wheat, beans, and chickpeas are soaked separately the night before. Once the wheat is thoroughly cooked, the chickpeas and beans, cooked separately, are added and boiled for a while longer. Sugar and washed raisins are added. Finely chopped figs and apricots are added. After cooking for another five minutes, cloves are added to the mixture. The cooked ashure is served hot in bowls and garnished with walnuts and cinnamon.

The ingredients in ashure, made in almost every region of Turkey, also vary from region to region. Ingredients such as broad beans, black-eyed peas, and corn are also added, as well as pomegranate and sesame seeds. In some regions, ashure is sweetened with molasses.

By Sıla İŞKAN