Kashmiri Shufta: A Dessert From The Heaven On Earth
Image Credit: Image: Ribbons to pasta

Jammu and Kashmir is a heaven on earth and we know why. This place doesn’t just offer mesmerizing locations but a huge range of dishes that are absolutely lip-smacking and delicious. The rich food here is quite influenced by Indian Hindus, Muslims as well as Persian and Afghan invaders. Kashmiri food generally has ample flavours, desi ghee along with spices like fennel powder, ginger powder, and red chili. The meat-related dishes from Jammu and Kashmir are a delight but it also has several vegetarian dishes that are tremendously delicious.

Among all the dishes loved, there is one dessert that has been slowly forgotten. We are talking about shufta which is a traditional Kashmiri dessert. Shufta is a mixture of several dry fruits and spices and is coated with sugar syrup. For this, dry fruits are first soaked in water for some time. Then, these soaked dry fruits are mixed with fried paneer, sugar, ghee, and other spice powders. This yummy and delectable dessert from Kashmiri cuisine looks so simple but tastes delicious! It doesn’t take more than 30 minutes to get ready and is something that you should try at least once. 

Shufta is loaded with dry fruits and we need not tell you how healthy is it. Since dry fruits are a great source of minerals and proteins, they help in boosting immunity and are a special remedy for cough and cold. Kashmiris swear by this dessert and almost every celebration, especially weddings, is incomplete without shufta. If you already have started craving shufta, we have a recipe for you. Try making this at home and give your family a treat.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coconut
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • ½ cup almonds
  • ½ cup cashews
  • ½ cup ghee
  • ½ cup pistachios
  • ½ cup paneer (cubed)
  • 7 to 8 dried dates
  • Water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cinnamon (powdered)
  • 1 green cardamom (powdered)
  • 1 tsp ginger powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp dry rose petals
  • Pinch of saffron

Method

  • Take a large bowl and add a good amount of lukewarm water to it. 
  • Add almonds, cashews, walnuts and in it and let them soak for 30 minutes. 
  • Next, take another medium-sized bowl and add fresh water in it. 
  • Add dried dates in this bowl and let them soak for at least half an hour.
  • When soaked properly, drain nuts from both bowls.
  • Cut the dates into small pieces and remove the seeds. 
  • Take a pan and add ghee to it.
  • Add dried coconut and fry it until it turns golden brown.
  • Take it off the pan and add paneer cubes and fry them till they turn golden brown.
  • Now add all the powdered spices and sugar to a pan.
  • Also, add saffron and rose petals. Mix them well.
  • Stir until the sugar gets completely dissolved.
  • Pour them over the roasted dry fruits and serve.

Enjoy!