Mouled & Assida
Today is the birthday of Prophet Mohamed (PBUH), so best wishes to all Muslims everywhere.
The occasion is celebrated in different ways around the Muslim world.
In Tunisia, every home makes Assida, a pudding-like sweet delicacy based on zgougou, these little black seeds taken from a pine-like tree. I don't know what they're called elsewhere as I've only seen them used here in Tunisia.
I absolutely love Assida, It's one of my favourite sweets.
On this day family members visit each other and take some assida with them to share. In fact, in the past when people used to care more about their neighbours, they'd also go out and give their neighbours some assida too.
Eman, my wife, made some great Assida this year. I'll go get myself another serving. Yummy.
Make sure you taste Assida if you ever visit Tunisia. It simply rocks.
here in Damascuse usually ppl eat Mulabas, a kind of almond covered with white sugar:)
Posted by: Ghalia at April 21, 2005 09:19 PMGhalia, yes I know mulabas. I had some when I visited Syria. We also have it here, although we don't call it mulabas.
Mohamed, Ayman, Ghalia and everyone, koll 3am ou into b'kheer :)
Posted by: MMM at April 22, 2005 08:18 AMMawlid Nabawi Mubarak to all Muslims of the world.
It's such a great occassion indeed. And I must admit that in Tunisia it has a very special taste.
And yes, you're right, I've never seen any country eat zgougou! I LOVE IT! And i love making assida, glad you liked it :)
Brother, yalla come soon! you must taste assida. By the way Zgougou is the black seeds of "sarw" trees I guess. Jordan is full of them, I must show them how to eat it! :))
Posted by: Eman at April 22, 2005 12:28 PMWe eat assida here in Libya but no zgougou - I think that is only a Tunisian thing.
Posted by: khadijateri at April 22, 2005 03:21 PMKhadijateri, with what do you make Assida in Libya? if you don't mind sharing of course :)
Posted by: Eman at April 22, 2005 04:08 PMHello all!
Please accept my belated wishes on the occasion of 'El Mawlid Ennabawi' as I have just discovered this site. I loved reading your comments regarding 'mawlid' recipes. It is great to be able to share and compare our traditions. I truly feel that is what brings us closer together.
I am a Tunisian who lives in Bahrain. Here, to my knowledge, there is no special dish for 'al mawlid'. However, I cannot imagine celebrating the Prophet's birthday without 'Assida'. So, every year, I bring back 'zgougou' from home.
What I find funny is that Eman mentioned she saw 'Sarw' trees all over Jordan, however, I do not know that those pine seeds are used to make 'Assida' or any other kind of sweet.
In fact, I have a Jordanian colleague, and eventhough I showed her the pine seeds, she told me she has never heard of 'Assidat Ezgougou'.
Talking about 'Assida', I am now going to the kitchen to make new fresh 'Assida' for my family.
Samira
Posted by: samira at April 30, 2005 03:48 PMAssida made with zgougou in Tunisia . WAW WAW and another WAW. That's a gift for the tunisans and only the tunisian can do it.
