Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Rahatlokum - Bosnian Turkish Delight

Rahatlokum from Sarajevo Turkish quarter

One of the national desserts of Bosnia is "rahatlokum" or basically Turkish Delight. It it not exactly Turkish Delight although the name, shape, and maybe even flavor implies. The texture of this lokum is slightly more gooey or malleable than the lokum found in Turkey. It is as if the baker added extra jam in it making it the slightest bit runnier and more like a candy gum drop. Another feature is that this lokum is sweeter.

From the variety pack purchased at one of the cafes in the old town section of Sarajevo, Bosnia, it appears that the flavor of choice leans toward walnut. The rose flavor is light and not too sweet and had a better texture than the others sampled. However, this sampler missed the favorite pistachio that is not too sweet or salty. Perhaps the hunt for the elusive pistachio lokum will be found on a deeper endeavor through the small streets of Sarajevo. Butik Badem on Abadžiluk 12 in the old town carried the Bosnian variety of lokum, but the pistachio here was jazzed up to an almost unrecognizable sweetness.

No comments: