Turkish Rice Dessert Flavored With Saffron Recipe

Saffron, one of the most highly prized spices in the world, is used to add color and aroma to a delicious turkish pudding-like dessert called 'safranl zerde' (sah-frahn'-luh zeyr-day'). Many recipes for "Zerde, " Like this one, also contain edible rose water to add yet another delicate flavor and aroma to the dish. 'safranl zerde' is a dessert that orginates from the areas surrounding the city of konya, located in inner anatolia and is a good example of regional turkish cuisine. It's said to have been a favorite of the ottomans and was prepared regularly in the topkap palace kitchens in istanbul. Today, 'zerde' can be found in many turkish restaurants and dessert shops all over the country. It's also a favorite dessert served during the holy month of ramadan. 'zerde' is simple to prepare. Like many turkish puddings, it's very nutritious and low in fat. Serve your 'zerde' cold in decorative dessert bowls garnished with more currants and pine nuts. You can also use other toppings like coconut or ground nuts.