flipPressed Fig Cakes for the Road
Pressed Fig Cakes for the Road
Why this dish? Amon's palace had figs and raisins; these pressed fruits were the reserve that traveled from the Garden of Uzza to the roads leading to Bethel or Nineveh, where the king's messengers and chariots moved.
Dried figs pounded and compacted into hard blocks, mixed with raisins and almonds: a dense reserve that keeps for months and transports without spoiling. A slice is cut to regain strength on the way.
When my messengers set out toward Bethel or further to Nineveh, I do not send them with empty stomachs. The dry figs from the Garden of Uzza are pounded, pressed with raisins and almonds into a bread hard as stone—the develah. Cut a piece for your pouch: it does not rot, it satisfies a man for the day. It is the food of the road, from the time of our fathers.
- •Dried figs — a large basket (sweet base)
- •Raisins — a handful (sweet binder)
- •Almonds — a handful (nuts)
- •Sesame seeds — a little (coating)
Pressed Fig Cakes for the Road
Dried figs pounded and compacted into hard blocks, mixed with raisins and almonds: a dense reserve that keeps for months and transports without spoiling. A slice is cut to regain strength on the way.
Why this dish? Amon's palace had figs and raisins; these pressed fruits were the reserve that traveled from the Garden of Uzza to the roads leading to Bethel or Nineveh, where the king's messengers and chariots moved.
When my messengers set out toward Bethel or further to Nineveh, I do not send them with empty stomachs. The dry figs from the Garden of Uzza are pounded, pressed with raisins and almonds into a bread hard as stone—the develah. Cut a piece for your pouch: it does not rot, it satisfies a man for the day. It is the food of the road, from the time of our fathers.
Ingredients (period version)
- Dried figs — a large basket (sweet base)
- Raisins — a handful (sweet binder)
- Almonds — a handful (nuts)
- Sesame seeds — a little (coating)
Ingredients
- Soft dried figs — 300 g (sweet base)
- Raisins — 100 g (sweet binder)
- Blanched almonds — 80 g (nuts)
- Sesame seeds — 2 tbsp (coating)
- Honey — 1 tbsp (binder (optional))
Method
- Coarsely chop the figs, raisins, and almonds with a knife or food processor until a thick paste forms.
- Add honey if the paste is too dry and knead well.
- Press the mixture firmly into a mold or form rectangular blocks by hand.
- Roll the blocks in sesame seeds.
- Let air-dry for a day, then wrap in a cloth; cut into slices when eating.
How it was made : Pressed fig cakes (develah) are mentioned in ancient Near Eastern texts as travel and storage food: compact, rich in sugar, they kept for a long time without spoiling. They were taken on campaigns or journeys, and sometimes served as gifts.
The contemporary twist : Slice thinly and serve with fresh sheep's cheese: the fig-cheese pairing, ancient already, remains an irresistible appetizer board.
Amon · Charactorium
