Whole Wheat Grains

Yum

                              ............In Memory Of My Grandmother

                                          Whole Wheat Grains a.k.a Koleeva


This is a post in memory of my grandmother, who passed away two almost two months ago at the age of 92. A women of no formal education yet she was  wise beyond her years. Life threw her many curve balls but she always overcame all of them, she even accepted her husband's death, because he was old. Just seven months before she passed away, she witnessed the passing of her son ( my dad), and this, she didn't overcome it, in fact that's why she too, passed away 7 months after my dad. I want to thank her for all she taught me and may God rest her soul and may she find peace now that she's with her only son. My angels in heaven.

This is a  recipe that Greeks prepare to honor their loved ones that have passed away and begin their eternal life with Jesus Christ. Koleeva - date back to the palleolithic times. It was served in memory and to honor the ones that passed away. It still has the same meaning as back then.  It is served on the day your loved has passed away and a small amount is thrown on the grave,in the Greek orthdox religion, whole wheat grains  represent life,  our loved ones have left from here,  but they have an  eternal life with God. When we throw the whole wheat grains ( Koleeva) they will grow again.

On the day you rest your loved ones you serve the whole wheat grains simple as you will see at the bottom of the page. When you serve them after the 40 days of their passing you enrich them with the following ingredients.

Ingredients : 

1/2 pound of whole wheat grains

1/2 pound - 1 pound of white almonds

1 pound of black raisins

1 cup of sesame seeds

1/2 cup of aniseed 

1/2 pound of confectioners sugar 

Silver coated sugar candy

Place your whole wheat grain in a pot cover with water, cook on high for

45 minutes or until they are cracked. When they are served you add all the above ingredients mix well. Add the confectioners sugar on top and decorate with raisins and the silver sugar coated candy. The cross is also made from sugar paste. 

Besides honoring your loved ones who passed away you can eat a plate of it. It's extermelt healthy you ean eat it by adding salt or sugar. I prefer salt and I like to add corn to it as well.

Drain your whole wheat in a colander. The best way to let it dry is to lay on a towel and allow it to dry for  5 - 6  hours. I usually leave it in the colander over night in a cool place.

This is how the will look if they are ready.

The picture below shows how they were served on the day we layed her to rest.

You serve them plain just add the silver sugar coated candy and the cross.

This is one recipe I can't tell you Kale Orexi.  A macabre preparation but this is how we honor our loved ones who have joined our heavenly father.