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Alani
Alani: dried peaches stuffed with walnuts and sugar from the Ararat Valley
Every autumn in the Ararat Valley, the orchards below Mount Ararat produce more peaches than can be eaten fresh, so families split them, dry them in the sun and then stuff them with a mixture of crushed walnuts and sugar, pressing them closed again. The finished alani are sold on strings at Yerevan's covered market and given as gifts at New Year, chewy, sweet and nutty. At home, start with good soft dried peaches. A common mistake is using very dry, leathery fruit, which cracks when you open it. Chef's tip: steam the peaches for 2 minutes first, so they turn soft and pliable and close neatly around the filling.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the alani
- 5 ½ oz walnuts
- 2 ⅛ oz caster sugar
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- 2 cups boiling waterfor steaming
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Steam 24 soft dried peaches over 2 cups boiling water in a sieve for 2 minutes, until soft and pliable. Cool.
2 minStep 2: Pulse 5 ½ oz walnuts, 2 ⅛ oz caster sugar and ¼ tsp ground cardamom in a food processor until finely chopped but not oily.
Step 3: Open each peach along its seam with your thumb to make a pocket. Common mistake: tearing it in half; work slowly from the open side.
Step 4: Fill each with 2 tsp of the walnut mix and press firmly closed.
Step 5: Leave on a rack for 2–3 hours to firm up. Store in a jar for up to 1 month.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does alani take?
- About 30 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of walnuts?
- Pecans or chocolate chips, same amount.
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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