Julfă
Automatically translated from Romanian. See the Romanian original
A traditional Moldavian Christmas dessert, consisting of thin layers baked in a pan, filled with a cream made from hemp seeds boiled with sugar, assembled in layers, and soaked in a honey syrup.
Ingredients
Method
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Knead the dough for the layers and form small balls, which you then roll out with a rolling pin into flat pancake shapes.
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Bake the layers in a pan, without oil.
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Once you finish baking the flatbreads, leave them to dry while you prepare the syrup.
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Boil the water with the sugar for 10 minutes for the syrup, and after it has cooled slightly, add the honey.
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Grind the hemp seeds in a food processor for the julfă filling.
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Pour hot water over the ground seeds and mix.
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Strain everything and bring back to a boil until it bubbles; a thick foam will form on top, which is the cream for the flatbreads.
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Add a little salt and, optionally, vanilla.
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Assemble the julfă: one flatbread, one layer of julfă, and so on until the dough layers are finished.
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Leave in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
The story behind this recipe
Julfă, Scutecele Domnului, or Pelincile lui Iisus are all names for the same dish. It is a traditional Moldavian dessert served on Christmas Eve. The original version uses hemp seeds, but it can also be made with walnuts. For the layers, you need: 300g flour, 150ml water, 10ml rapeseed/sunflower oil, and a pinch of salt. For the filling, you need: 500g hemp seeds, 200g brown sugar, and 4 cups of water. And for the syrup, you need: 500ml water, 100g brown sugar, and 100g honey. Knead the dough and form small balls that you will roll out with a rolling pin into pancake shapes. Bake them in a pan without oil. After you finish baking the flatbreads, leave them to dry while you prepare the syrup. Boil the water with the sugar for 10 minutes, and after it has cooled slightly, add the honey. For the julfă, you must grind the hemp seeds in a food processor. Pour hot water over them and mix. Strain everything and bring it to a boil again until it bubbles. A thick foam will form on top, which is actually the cream for the flatbreads. Add a little salt and optional vanilla. Proceed to assemble the julfă. One flatbread, one layer of julfă, and so on until the dough layers are finished. Leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Enjoy the sweetness! And have wonderful holidays!
