Κόλλυβα / Kolyva

Greek traditions are steeped in religion. Kolyva is a symbolic dish made with boiled wheat, dried fruit, pomegranate seeds, nuts, sesame seeds and aromatic spices. They are taken to Church to be blessed in memory of the deceased and are offered to those attending memorial services. Kolyva are also prepared on Ψυχοσάββατο / Saturday of Souls and on Saints Days.
The ingredients used hold symbolic meanings in respect for the spirits of the dead; Wheat is the symbol of the earth and also symbolizes the souls of the dead, eternal life and resurrection; Pomegranate symbolizes the splendour of heaven; Bleached Almonds
symbolize the bare bones to remind us of the fate we will all face; Spices are the fragrances of this world; Nuts symbolise life that reproduces; Ground chickpeas, rusk crumbs or flour symbolize the light soil; Raisin/Sultanas symbolize the sweetness of life to Christ who is the vine; Sugar symbolizes the sweet paradise.

Ingredients:
1kg whole wheat kernels
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp aniseed seeds
200g sesame seeds (boiled for a few minutes and drained)
200g raisins or sultanas
200g walnuts or blanched almonds
2 pomegranates, seeds only
3-4 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
50g ground chickpeas or crust crumbs (Paximathia)
1 tbsp ground aniseed powder

For the topping:
The seeds of 2 pomegranates
200g blanched almonds
200g sultanas or raisins
200g sesame seeds
Silver candy balls (optional)

Method:
Pick the wheat clean, then wash and place in a large saucepan and cover with lots of cold water, add the salt and aniseed seeds. Bring to the boil, simmer for about an hour or until tender. Strain the wheat and spread onto a cloth to dry out.
Place the wheat in a large bowl and mix the rest of the ingredients together. Spread in a large bowl or tray and decorate as you like with a cross in the middle.