Georgians have a treat they fondly refer to as the Georgian Snickers. They say the word with such pride, it is worth the 1 Lari and 50 Tetri just to see them smile. When sellers are not trying to lure non-Georgians, they refer to it by its real name: Churchkhela.
To make this traditional Georgian candy, you start by stringing walnuts on a thread and allowing them to dry out (to avoid them from getting moldy). The walnuts are then dipped repeatedly in a mixture of grape juice (not the kind from Giant) and flour. They are then hung upside on a beam to dry. This is the much simplified version because there are about 10 steps you must do just to get the juice from the grape and ready it for the walnut dipping. But since I don't think you will be trying this recipe at home, I thought it was OK to give the short version.
You can buy churchkhela in most places, but the best place to get them is on the side of the road in rural areas. These are said to be the freshest and most authentic. We stopped and bought some from this woman on our way home from Signagi.
Like most Georgian food, I didn't like it all when I first tried it. Since then, I have tried it a few more times and it isn't half bad. However, since there is no peanut nougat, roasted peanuts, caramel, or chocolate, I think they need a new slogan for their famous candy. It is nothing like a Snickers bar.
2 comments:
These do not look tasty at all!
Nothing like the "real" Snickers, but not too bad!
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