A-Truffling We Will Go

In the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia,and generally in the area of the Arabian Gulf,every spring,granted having a good rainy season called "al-wassmy"during October,with lot's of thunder*,people seem to be compulsed to go truffle-hunting!

  The layman's name for it is "faga'a" which literally means (burst),and that is because there is actually a a tell-tale crack in the soil which is caused by the growth of the fungus,as if it's trying to burst out saying: "Here I am!Wouldn't you like to be the one to get a special treat?"

  The truffle is some kind of fungus related to mushrooms,it grows near a plant ,locally called "irga" or "ragroug",and it's scientific name is "helanthium libbi".Because the truffle doesn't have roots,it depends on other plants for its nutrition,therefore it is always found near that plant.

  The arabic name for it is "kam'aa",it is supposed to have a healing property for the eyes according to a hadeeth by the prophet Muhammad(sala Allahu alyhi wasallam).**

   Doctor Nathem Al-Nassemy says in his book Attib Annabawi wa ilm Al-hadeeth(The prophet's medicine and modern science):

"I hope that Medical and Research centres in Islamic countries would start to research the uses of the juices of the truffle,and make notes of it until they find the proper use and for exactly which eye-ailment it can be used."

Truffles Around The World:

-Grolier Encyclopedia:

Describes the truffle as a pungent wild fungus,highly prized as a food delicacy.It is believed to have a symbolic relationship with the roots of trees,particularily oak and beech trees.

-A Gourmet's book of Mushroom and Truffles:

Authors Jaqui Hurst and Lyn Rutherford say:

"There are three good edible species,which are highly prized for their intense flavor: the English or Summer Truffle,the Black French Truffle(Perigord),the Whit Italian Truffle(Piedmont).

-A French lady's account on truffles:

Agnes Delande,a French teacher in Al-Khobar(Eastern Province,Saudi Arabia)says:

"The French never cook it alone,they only use it to give it's flavor to food,for example:truffles are grated over omlettes.

She says that a kilogram costs from 2000 to 3500 francs,then she adds :"They don't even accept payment by checks!!"

Then she adds that they sometimes import truffles from China ,but of course they are not as pungent nor as delicious as the French truffles.

Her favourite recipe:

The truffles are peeled,then cut into very small pieces.It is then cooked in a small amount of water until you get a very condensed sauce,which is then added to meat or to liver-pate!!!!

- Recipes for Truffles from Arabia:

1)Fatma Al-Subeyii(from Riyadh) says that the best recipe is the one taught to her by her mother,and it is the oldest recipe.

She says that if they found a lot of truffles,they would usually cook them  with rice (kabsa)or pastry(Margoug)taking the place f meat,but to enjoy the taste of truffles this is the recipe:

The truffles are peeled and put in water and salt,then after cooking for an hour and a half,rub it with ghee or butter,then eat and...enjoy.

2)Mizna(from Al-Qasseem):Prefers them cooked with pastry(margoug):

First you peel the truffles,then cut some onions and fry them,add the spices ,meat,salt and some tomato sauce,add a little water and leave to cook for about half an hour.

Add the pieces of very thin dough(goulash or baklava pastry will do)

add the vegetables(squash or zuchini)then add the truffles,cover the pot ,lower the heat and cook for a half hour more.

Notes:

*it is sometimes called the plant of thunder,because of it's relation to the Wassmy rains accompanied by thunder.

**The Prophet peace be upon him said:

"The truffles are from Al-Mann that is (it is given from Allah without seed or labour)and it's water is a remedy for the eye."