Afghan New Year Dried Fruit Medley Haft Mewa Recipes

HAFT MEWA: AFGHAN FRUIT AND NUT DISH

Steps:

• First, make sure that the nuts are peeled. See the notes for peeling nuts if you can't find pre peeled nuts.
• When the nuts are peeled, rinse both types of raisins, cherries, and apricots well with cold water.
• Combine the dried fruits with the peeled nuts in a large bowl. Add the rose water or vanilla and filtered water and stir to combine.
• Cover the mixture and let it sit in the fridge for 3 days, stirring about once a day.
• The fruit should soak up most of the water and be quite sweet like a syrup. Serve the dish as is with the liquid. Enjoy.

HAFT MEWA (SEVEN FRUITS)

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Place each variety of nut in a separate medium heatproof bowl and cover each variety with some of the just-boiled water. Soak the almonds and pistachios for about 1 hour, and soak the walnuts overnight (if using) to help the skins peel off. Almond and pistachio skins slip off fairly easily; walnuts take more effort. Once the skins are softened, drain the nuts and use your fingers to rub off the skins. Rinse the peeled nuts and place them all in one bowl.
• In a medium pot with a lid, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat and carefully add the nuts and all of the dried fruits to the pot. Cover and set aside to cool at room temperature. Once cool, cover and refrigerate for 48 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop.
• Serve chilled, ladling some syrupy soaking liquid into each bowl. Be mindful that the senjed and whole dried apricots have seeds. Haft mewa will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

AFGHAN NEW YEAR DRIED FRUIT MEDLEY, HAFT MEWA

Steps:

• In addition you must have a large (at least 5 pints) lidded container with a wide mouth.
• Begin by blanching the walnuts and pistachios. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil, remove from the heat, add the walnuts and pistachios, cover and let it sit for 20 minutes. In the meantime in a large bowl add both kinds of raisins, cherries and apricots. Rinse three times in cold water to remove any residue.
• When the nuts are ready, pour the hot water out and add cold water. That way you won't burn your hands. Peel the skin off the nuts using the best method you can muster up. I must admit, the pistachios were a dream but the walnuts take patience! I found if you have a whole walnut, break it in half and then start peeling. It really makes it easier. Perhaps recruit family members to help. Make sure all the skin is removed from the pistachios and the walnuts, no exception!
• Add the dried fruit and the nuts to the container along with the rosewater and 5 cups of cold water. Stir well. The water should be at lead 1 inch above the ingredients. Refrigerate for 2-4 days. The longer you leave it the sweeter it gets. It will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days.
• Serve in a bowl with its juices. I also think it would taste wonderful on vanilla ice cream or plain yogurt.
• Enjoy!