Jujubes are multi-flavored and multi-colored jelly-based sweets that are a staple in Christmas celebrations.
The most cheerful time of the year—Christmas—is right around the corner. Although the festival is popularly associated with mythic tales of Santa Claus and his elves, plus the act of exchanging presents, Christmas celebrations would be incomplete without a plethora of sweet treats for us to sink our teeth into. Something sweet is absolutely vital after indulging in ornate Christmas feasts, characterized by heavy-hitters, such as turkey, casseroles, and mashed potatoes. Globally, some of the most widely known Christmas desserts are gingerbread cookies, marzipan, plum cake, yule logs, pecan pie, and sugar cookies. Of course, India is no slouch when it comes to adding its own unique spin on international Christmas treats. One such Christmas treat, Jujubes, will be the focus of this article.
Not to be confused with the nutritious jujube fruit of China, known to us as “Ber” in India, the Jujubes we are spotlighting in this article are confectionary products. Often dubbed as the Indian version of the mouth-watering “Turkish delight,” Jujubes are sugary little drops of heavenly bliss that melt inside one’s mouth. They have a similar taste and texture to marshmallows or gummy bears, and come in a variety of flavors including orange, lemon, watermelon, raspberry, and so on. They can be sweet and chewy, or slightly sour, depending on the sugar content they hold. These confections are enjoyed and savored the country over, but tend to be of sentimental value in Goan culture, with many locals recalling their childhood experiences with Jujubes. That’s why it should come as no surprise that alongside local delicacies, such as Nevri, Bebinca, Kulkus, Dohol, and Bolinhas, jujubes are a key component in traditional Goan Christmas hampers and platters.
Although Jujubes are sold in stores, many people prefer to make them at home as it gives them an opportunity to get in touch with their inner child and relive their childhood. You can imbue your homemade Jujubes with whatever colors and flavors you wish to, a luxury that is not always available when it comes to store-bought Jujubes. Similarly, you can really exercise your creative juices on your homemade Jujubes! It’s not uncommon to create a smiling Santa-face or even Christmas symbols, emojis, and figurines on your Jujubes using sugar or other suitable ingredients. If you’re missing a chocolate component on your Jujubes, you can always sprinkle them with some Cadbury or Oreo shavings. Try thinking of your own signature innovative ways to incorporate Cadbury chocolate or Oreo cookies into Jujubes!
The hero element or main ingredient of Jujubes is gelatin. Gelatin is a protein that is extracted from the skin and cartilage of animals, and is thought to have multiple health benefits. These include the healthy growth of skin, hair, and nails as well as help with digestion and weight loss issues. That’s why gelatin is also used in several cosmetics and hair products. Sometimes, people also blend gelatin in regular food items, such as soup, to get an extra protein boost. So, don’t feel guilty if you want to have an extra piece of Jujubes come Christmas season. Treat it as a healthy snack if you must! In addition to gelatin, some other ingredients used to prepare Jujubes are food coloring and granulated sugar. Now, let’s take a look at a detailed Jujubes recipe.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Remember, this is your very own unique creation, so there are no rules. You have complete control over your sweet little pieces of confection, and you may garnish them however and with whatever you please! It’s undeniable though that premium products in the vein of Cadbury or Oreo will add an extra layer of oomph to your dessert and undoubtedly elevate its flavor profile.
Additionally, if you’re bored with traditional square or rectangular Jujubes, you can also purchase Santa and reindeer or elf-shaped stencils and cut out your Jujubes in those shapes. In the same way, you can make your Jujubes circular in shape as well. Do not hesitate to unleash your inner child and play around with colors, shapes, flavors, and visuals when it comes to making Jujubes as they are one of the most versatile food items out there. You have the chance to make them as authentic and as YOU as possible. Merry Christmas and happy experimenting!