Zoolbia

Delight your taste buds with Zoolbia, a mesmerizing Persian sweet that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful. This golden, spiral-shaped dessert boasts a crisp exterior and a luscious syrupy finish, thanks to its unique batter infused with saffron and rose water. The irresistible combination of flour, cornstarch, and creamy yogurt creates the perfect texture for deep-frying intricate designs. Each piece is dunked in a fragrant sugar syrup enriched with rose water and a hint of lemon juice, delivering a tantalizing burst of floral and citrus flavors. Perfectly paired with tea or coffee, Zoolbia is a stunning Middle Eastern treat that’s sure to elevate your dessert table. Whether you're hosting guests or indulging in a solo sweet escape, this recipe is a must-try for lovers of exotic confections.

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Yogurt
• 3 tablespoons Water
• 0.25 teaspoon Saffron
• 1 teaspoon Rose water
• 2 cups Sugar
• 1 cup Water (for syrup)
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
• 2 cups Cooking oil

Directions

Step 1

In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, yogurt, water, saffron, and rose water. Mix until a smooth, lump-free batter forms. Let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 2

While the batter rests, make the sugar syrup. In a saucepan, mix 2 cups of sugar with 1 cup of water over medium heat, stirring until dissolved.

Step 3

Add the lemon juice and rose water to the syrup. Cook for 5 more minutes on low heat, then remove from the stove and set aside to cool.

Step 4

Heat the cooking oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Ensure the oil is hot but not smoking.

Step 5

Pour the batter into a squeeze bottle or piping bag with a small round nozzle.

Step 6

Squeeze the batter into the hot oil in circular, intricate patterns to form spiral-shaped designs. Fry each piece for about 1-2 minutes per side or until golden and crispy.

Step 7

Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried zoolbia from the oil and immediately dip it into the sugar syrup for 20-30 seconds.

Step 8

Transfer the syrup-coated zoolbia to a wire rack or plate to cool and set.

Step 9

Repeat until all batter is used. Serve the zoolbia at room temperature with tea or coffee.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1275.1 grams (1275.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6099

Total Fat 476.90g	611%
Saturated Fat 66.80g	334%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 2mg	1%
Sodium 29mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 461.30g	168%
Dietary Fiber 1.80g	6%
Total Sugars 401.60g
Protein 7.80g	16%

Vitamin D 14IU	72%
Calcium 71mg	5%
Iron 3mg	17%
Potassium 149mg	3%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.6%

Protein: 0.5%

Carbs: 29.9%