Zito (zhito/koljivo) - Serbian Wheat Pudding

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 2 quarts water, or as needed
• 1 cup whole wheat berries
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 1/2 cups walnut pieces
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• garnish:
• 2 tablespoons blanched slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup cold heavy whipping cream

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 9 hrs


• bring a kettle of water to boil. continue to refill and heat as needed as the source for water in boiling the wheat.
• place wheat berries in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan. cover with water, about two inches above the level of the berries. bring to a rolling boil and let boil for 15 seconds. drain; discard water.
• add new water to the wheat, the same amount as before. repeat until you've brought wheat and water to a boil seven times. during the seventh boil, add the salt. do not drain.
• remove the pan from the heat, cover, and wrap with towels (see cook's note). let rest at room temperature overnight.
• the next day, drain any water that hasn't been absorbed overnight. grind the wheat berries thoroughly in a food processor or a meat grinder. (if you use a blender, you must work in very small batches.) transfer wheat to a bowl and set aside. grind the walnuts until fine; add the confectioners' sugar and process until nuts form a fine meal. add the ground wheat and pulse until mixed.
• spoon koljivo into a serving dish, preferably a clear glass trifle bowl with straight sides. garnish by sticking slivered almonds all over the top, like a porcupine.
• whip the cream in a glass or metal bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. serve by the heaping tablespoon in small decorative bowls or custard cups, topped with a dollop of whipped cream.