Loading ...Fig and Pistachio Balls
By: Habeeb Salloum/Arab America Contributing Writer
Pistachios are believed to have originated in Iran. For thousands of years they thrived in western Asia, in the area from Syria to Afghanistan. They were prized for their creamy flavour and nutritious value by royalty and the elite in the ancient world and were the favourite nuts in the imperial court of Queen Belghais of Sheba. Interestingly, they are one of only two nuts that are mentioned in the Bible.
During Roman times, the pistachio tree was introduced to Greece and Italy from Syria. On the other hand, some historians indicate that after the fall of the Roman Empire, the cultivation of pistachios disappeared from Italy and were later re-introduced by the Arabs to Sicily after their conquest of the island. In his book Islamic Sicily, Aziz Ahmad states the name of the ‘pistachio’ possibly came into Sicilian from Arabic then moved on into the other languages of Europe.
Pistachios were introduced to the U.S.A. by a Syrian immigrant in the late 1890’s and began to be cultivated commercially in California.
1 cup pistachios pulverized
1/2-pound dried figs, with stock ends removed
1/2 of an orange peel, finely chopped
4 tablespoons creamed honey
1 teaspoon rosewater
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup icing sugar
In a food processor, add pistachios, figs and orange peel, then process until ingredients are finely ground. Add honey, rosewater and cinnamon, then process until thick paste is formed. Form into balls the size of small walnuts, then set aside.
Place icing sugar on platter, then roll balls in icing sugar. Place on a serving tray, then sprinkle with remaining icing sugar, and serve.
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