Indulge in Turkish Elegance: The Sweet Allure of Tulumba

Tulumba is a delightful, crunchy pastry drenched in sweet syrup. These traditional Turkish treats are the ideal dessert for black coffee or bitter tea. I first encountered them on a vacation in Turkey and was immediately captivated by their delicious taste. Now, I make them annually on Fat Thursday to revive the wonderful memories of that trip.

More than a delicious dessert, tulumba is an eye-catching table ornament. Its unique shell-like shape draws the eye and tempts the palate. The pastries are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, and the sweet syrup infuses them with an extraordinary flavor.

Tulumba makes an excellent choice for Fat Thursday. These delightful pastries will enchant your guests and friends with their exotic taste and fragrance.

Ingredients for the choux pastry:

• About 1 cup of water,
• 2.8 ounces of butter,
• 8.8 ounces of wheat flour,
• 4 medium-sized eggs,
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt,

and

• About 1 and 1/4 cups of oil for frying.

Ingredients for the syrup:

• About 3/4 cup of water,
• 7 ounces of sugar,
• About 1.4 tablespoons of lemon juice.

1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a saucepan, then add 2.8 ounces of butter. When the mixture returns to a boil, mix in 8.8 ounces of flour and a 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough is smooth. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool.
2. After the dough has cooled, incorporate the eggs one at a time, blending the mixture with a mixer until it reaches a uniform consistency. Transfer the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a serrated nozzle.
3. Heat about 1 and 1/4 cups of oil in a deep pan. Pipe 2-inch segments of the dough from the pastry bag, cutting them with scissors. Fry the pastries until they turn golden brown. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain.
4. For the syrup, combine water, sugar, and lemon juice in a pot and bring to a simmer; then lower the heat and let it cook for about 15 minutes.
5. Immerse the fried pastries in the hot syrup, allowing them to absorb the sweet flavors for 10 minutes.
6. Enjoy the tulumba with a robust Turkish coffee or minty green tea, savoring the unique taste of Turkey.

Tulumba is an irresistible, easy-to-make dessert, perfect for celebrating Fat Thursday. Try this recipe and indulge in the sweet essence of the Orient!