Tunisian Assidat Zgougou

About This Recipe

Assidat zgougou is one of Tunisia's most unique desserts, made exclusively from the seeds of the Aleppo pine tree (zgougou) that are ground into a paste and cooked with milk and sugar into a thick, dark grey pudding. Topped with a blanket of white cream, roasted nuts, and dried fruits, it's traditionally made and distributed to neighbors during the Prophet's birthday (Mouloud). Its unusual color and complex nutty flavor make it unlike any other dessert in the world.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 200 gAleppo pine seeds (zgougou) or regular pine nuts
• 1 literwhole milk
• 1 cupsugar
• 4 tbspcornstarch
• 1 cupheavy cream
• 2 tbsppowdered sugar (for cream)
• 1/4 cupmixed roasted nuts (pine nuts, almonds, pistachios)
• 2 tbsprose water

Instructions

1. 1

   Process the pine seeds

   Grind zgougou pine seeds in a blender with 2 cups of the milk until very smooth. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing to extract maximum liquid. Discard the solids.

2. 2

   Make the pudding base

   Combine the pine seed milk with remaining milk and sugar in a pot. Whisk cornstarch with a little cold milk and add to the pot.

3. 3

   Cook until thick

   Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding consistency, about 15–20 minutes. It will turn dark grey.

4. 4

   Add rose water and set

   Add rose water. Pour into a large serving dish or individual glasses. Cool, then refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours.

5. 5

   Top and serve

   Whip cream with powdered sugar. Spread a layer of whipped cream over the chilled pudding. Decorate with roasted nuts and dried fruits.

Variations

• •

  Add orange blossom water instead of rose water

• •

  Garnish with pomegranate seeds for color contrast

• •

  Make individual portions in small glasses for serving

Storage

Refrigerate up to 4 days without cream topping. Add cream just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions