Tufahija
Photo: Pavouk · CC BY-SA 3.0

History

Tufahija (from Turkish 'tuffahiye', from the Arabic 'tuffah' meaning apple) arrived through Ottoman court cuisine and adapted to Bosnian highland apples and walnuts. Slasticarna Egipat on Ferhadija and Inat Kuca both work the canonical Sarajevo version, with the apple poached gently in lemon-sugar syrup and the walnut filling whipped with butter and a hint of cinnamon as the Sarajevo signature finish.

Common allergens: Dairy, Nuts

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 1 hrDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 medium apples (Golden Delicious or similar)
  • 200g sugar
  • 500ml water
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 100g walnuts, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 200ml whipping cream
  • Pinch of cinnamon

Method

  1. Core the apples leaving the bottom intact (creating a well for the filling).
  2. Bring water, sugar and lemon juice to a simmer; poach the apples 15 minutes until tender but holding shape.
  3. Mix walnuts, sugar, butter and cinnamon to a soft paste.
  4. Stuff each apple with walnut paste through the cored top.
  5. Chill the apples in the syrup for 30 minutes.
  6. Whip cream to soft peaks.
  7. Plate each apple in a small bowl, spoon over a tablespoon of syrup, and top with whipped cream.

Tip from the editors. Use a melon baller to core the apples cleanly without breaking the bottom.

Where to eat tufahija

Tufahija in Sarajevo

Slasticarna Egipat ★ 4.5

$ BakeryBosnian sweets, baklava, tufahija, hurmasiceCentarWalk-in only

Slasticarna Egipat on Ferhadija is the Sarajevo Bosnian sweet counter open since 1949, with baklava, tufahija, hurmasice and tulumbe by the piece.

Worth the queueBaklava and tufahija stuffed apple

TipPair a Bosnian coffee with tufahija (poached apple with walnut and cream) for the full sit.

Directions

Slasticarna Ramis ★ 4.4

$ BakeryBaklava, tulumbe, hurmasiceBascarsijaWalk-in only

Slasticarna Ramis on Saraci is the historic Bosnian sweet shop in Sarajevo's Bascarsija, pulling walnut baklava, hurmasice and rose-water tulumbe daily.

Worth the queueWalnut baklava

TipCounter sale; take to Sebilj square and watch the pigeons with a Bosnian coffee.

Directions

Inat Kuca ★ 4.0

$$$$ Tasting 35-65 KM per headTraditional BosnianKovaciChef the owners

Inat Kuca in Kovaci is the Sarajevo Spite House, an Ottoman house moved across the Miljacka in 1895 and now a Bosnian restaurant for sahan and lonac.

Book3 days ahead

TipReserve a riverside terrace table for dinner; ask for sarajevski sahan to taste five Bosnian dishes in one tray.

Directions Book

Dveri ★ 4.2

$$$$ Tasting 40-65 KM per headTraditional BosnianBascarsijaChef the owners

Dveri off Saraci in Bascarsija is the Sarajevo Bosnian institution behind a wood-shuttered facade, with a flowered courtyard and hearty lonac at every table.

Book3 days ahead

TipReservations are essential; Dveri is cash only and the rear courtyard tables are the ones to ask for in summer.

Directions

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