This food is made to remember those who have passed and treated to all in attendance to the memorial. It is made primarily of wheat berry, which symbolizes life and regeneration. Like wheat, people are buried in order to grow and have a new life. It is a fine way to honour the deceased with the food of life.
Koliva has a soft gravel like texture and served in a large tray, spooned out into cups or on small plates.
The nutritious dessert koliva, has high in fiber and provides iron and protein.
For preperation, it requires time, patience and care.
For topping:
Rinse the wheat berries and place them in a large saucepan. Put in water and soak overnight.
Add enough water to the pressure cooker and bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the wheat berries are tender and beginning to split but not mushy.
Drain in the strainer to cool.
Cover an oven tray with a clean towel and spread the wheat berries in pieces on the towel for at least 4-5 hours.
Boil the almonds for about 5-10 minutes, in order to remove the skins. Once they are peeled, pop them into a bowl of cold water with a little lemon juice to keep them nice and white.
Then toast the almonds, walnuts and sesame seeds (optional) and allow to cool in separate bowls.
Place the drained wheat berries in a large mixing bowl.
Add powdered chickpeas and petite beurre powder to absorbe the moist if exit. But reserve some chickpeas and petite beurre powder for top.
Add the rest of the ingredients one by one.
Toss it all together very well.
Transfer the mixture to a large platter or tray.
Press the mixture down to smooth it and to shape it.
Place the remaining chickpeas powder and petite beurre mixture and press.
Sift the powdered sugar over the top to coat it thickly, almost like a frosting.
Flatten the koliva with a small parchment paper to fine and smooth the top. So that it can be seen as it has frosting on top.
Decorate the top with roasted almonds and almond dragees.
The wheat berries can ferment if left at room temperature overnight and the sugar can crystallize in a moist environment.
For that reason, if left by chance, cover and store refrigerated.
