Easy
20
By David Dale and Somer Sivrioglu
Published 2015
Every city in Turkey makes a sweet they claim is ‘a natural Viagra’. Cezerye (pronounced ‘jez-air-yeh’) is the natural Viagra of Mersin on the southeast coast. It was once the ancient Greek city of Zephyrion, and now it’s Turkey’s largest port.
I have no evidence to support the alleged aphrodisiac value of carrots, but you could say that this is one of the healthier deserts you can consume from the region of excessive sugar and butter. I confess I have added turmeric mainly for visual impact, because carrots outside of Turkey have a less vivid colour—and presumably less potency.
Place the hazelnuts on a baking tray and
Put the carrots and
Strain the carrots and then transfer to a blender. Add the sugar and blend into a purée. Put the carrot purée back in the pan over low heat and stir in the spices. Add the honey and cornflour mixture and then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and discard the cloves. Add the hazelnuts and then leave to cool to room temperature.
Using a teaspoon, shape the mixture into small walnut-sized balls. It should make about twenty balls. Spread the coconut flakes on a tray and then roll the balls in the coconut to evenly coat. Put the tray in the fridge and leave until you are ready to serve.
Put the cezerye on a plate (with toothpicks, if you like, so that people don’t have to use their fingers) and serve.
© 2015 All rights reserved. Published by Murdoch Books.