Shorgoghal () is a traditional Azerbaijani pastry in a round shape filled with

anise Anise (; '), also called aniseed or rarely anix is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to Eurasia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, such as star anise, fennel, licorice, and ta ...

fennel Fennel (''Foeniculum vulgare'') is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized ...

seed,

cumin Cumin ( or , or Article title
) (''Cuminum cyminum'') is a

cinnamon Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus ''Cinnamomum''. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfa ...

turmeric Turmeric () is a flowering plant, ''Curcuma longa'' (), of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, the rhizomes of which are used in cooking. The plant is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asi ...

, salt and pepper. It is mainly prepared for

Novruz in Azerbaijan Novruz in Azerbaijan ( az, Novruz Bayramı) is a traditional holiday which celebrates the Persian New Year and the coming of Spring. When Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union, the celebration of Novruz was generally unofficial and at times eve ...

along with pakhlava and

shekerbura Shekarbureh (. Azeri şəkərbura) is a sweet pastry, dating back to at least the Sassanid era. Originally, it was like a halva made from sugar and almonds. Its alternate names in Persian include ''Shekarborak'', ''Shekarbora'', ''Shekarpareh'' an ...

About

Goghal is a round, flaky pastry with bright yellow top layer. It is mainly filled with a mixture of spices (called ''shorgoghal'') or with sugar and nuts (called ''shirin goghal''). Like other pastries prepared for Nowruz in Azerbaijan, shorgoghal has a

solar Solar may refer to: Astronomy * Of or relating to the Sun ** Solar telescope, a special purpose telescope used to observe the Sun ** A device that utilizes solar energy (e.g. "solar panels") ** Solar calendar, a calendar whose dates indicate t ...

symbolism, its round shape and cheerful yellow colour inspired by the life-giving sun, whose power waxes stronger after the

vernal equinox Spring equinox or vernal equinox or variations may refer to: * March equinox, the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere * September equinox, the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere Other uses * Nowruz, Persian/Iranian new year which be ...

, ushering in the quickening warmth of

Spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a ...

Ingredients and preparation

Puff pastry dough is rested in a warm place for 4 hours, then enriched with heated butter, after which it is mixed well and the remaining flour is added. Cumin is crushed and heated, then anise, cinnamon, salt and pepper are added together with warm butter for the stuffing. The mixture is cooked for 5 minutes. The dough is divided into 10 pieces. The rolled-out pieces are then smeared with butter and placed on top of each other. The multilayered dough thus formed is cut into strips, which are twisted into circles and then flattened. The dough is then stuffed with the buttery spice mixture and the top of each shorgoghal is brushed with egg yolk coloured with saffron and sprinkled with poppy seeds.

References

Azerbaijani desserts {{Azerbaijan-cuisine-stub

About

Ingredients and preparation

See also

References