Every year TCCP volunteers prepare a dessert called Noah’s Pudding to observe a Middle-Eastern tradition celebrating the landing of Noah’s Ark after the Great Flood, which has references in the Holy Books of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

People from different cultures and backgrounds enjoy this dessert. The sweetness of the dessert is reflected in the words and emotions exchanged between the tasters, showing a small example of “how sweet it would be to share cultural diversity”.

The Story of Noah

The Prophet Noah called his people to the religion of God for many years. After repeated efforts to convey God’s message and to no avail, Noah, upon God’s command, built an ark and embarked in it the believers and a pair of each species. They had a long and hard journey until the waters of the flood receded.

According to one version of the traditional story, days passed by and food became scarce on the ark, no food by itself was sufficient to make a decent meal. Noah then gathered scraps of the foods and mixed them together, producing a delicious dish. The people were saved from starvation. The very next day, the flood receded.

In another version, when Noah’s ark landed on a mountain, there was great joy. To celebrate the end of the flood and offer thanks to God, those on the Ark prepared a delicacy with what food was left on the Ark.

Today we call the meal they prepared “Noah’s Pudding”.

A Day of Sharing and Reflection

This day is a symbol of sharing joy – the joy of the landing of the Noah’s Ark, and God’s bestowments to many other Messengers. Sharing Noah’s Pudding is a representation of the unity and essential relationship of humans to one another and to their Creator.

This unique desert, which contains contrasting flavors, is not only delicious but also a perfect symbol of a harmonious society. The heterogeneous nature of Noah’s pudding also resonates the cultural diversity of the United States.

Noah’s Pudding is a reminder that our guide is the belief in God and living together in harmony and peace. Our flood and disasters are many: Global terror, clash of civilizations, wars, oppressions, high crime rates, famine, epidemics, poverty, ecological dangers, etc. The ark to overcome these problems is to gather around the common values in search for solutions and consensus.

THE RECIPE

Noah’s Pudding (makes 25 servings)

Ingredients:

1 cup wheat, ½ cup white beans, ½ cup chick peas, ½ cup raisins, 1 cup almonds (cut in half), 12 dried apricot (diced), 5 dried figs (diced), 3-½ cups sugar, ½ cup rice, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup rosewater (optional), water (enough to cover).

Topping: walnuts, cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Soak wheat, white beans, chickpeas, and rice in water overnight.
2. Boil the raisins and almonds in water until they soften.
3. Boil the wheat until it softens. Then add the rice and keep boiling. When the wheat is soft enough, add white beans, chick peas, raisins, apricot, figs and almonds. Keep stirring and boiling.
4. Add the milk along with sugar. Boil for 10-15 minutes. Then add the rosewater and enjoy your pudding.

These are the ingredients we chose. Feel free to experiment with other grain, fruits and nuts. Pomegranate, sesame seeds, orange peels are also recommended.