SAEDNEWS: Iranian fruit roll-ups are among the most popular snacks that please young and old alike.
Lavashak, the beloved Iranian fruit roll, tastes far better when homemade than anything you find on store shelves. For generations, families have crafted these tangy-sweet treats from a variety of fresh fruits, preserving an age-old culinary tradition. Many Iranian children fondly recall watching cooked fruits spread across round trays on rooftops, slowly drying under the sun to become the chewy, flavorful fruit rolls known as Lavashak.
While fruit roll-ups only appeared in American grocery stores in 1983, Lavashak has been a staple in Iranian kitchens for centuries. Making your own Lavashak is a delightful way to connect with the flavors, culture, and rhythms of Iranian life.
Summer, with its abundance of fresh fruit and warm sunshine, is the ideal time to prepare Lavashak. Sour cherries, yellow plums, apricots, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, and other seasonal fruits can all be used. Depending on your taste preference—sour, sweet, or sour-sweet—you can mix different fruits in varying amounts. Each fruit can be used individually or combined for unique flavors.
Sour roll-ups: More raspberries and sour cherries
Sweet roll-ups: More plums and apricots
Sour-sweet roll-ups: Equal amounts of each fruit
Sour cherries
Raspberries
Apricots
Yellow plums
Blackberries
Prepare the fruits: Wash and deseed all fruits, then mix them with a small amount of water and cook over heat.
Cook until thick: Allow the mixture to simmer for about an hour until fully cooked, thickened, and mashed. Add a pinch of salt at the end.
Strain the mixture: After cooling slightly, strain it to create a smooth, consistent paste.
Spread and dry: Grease a tray or flat dish with oil, spread the fruit mixture evenly, and cover with a thin cloth to protect from dust and insects. Place under the sun to dry.
Finish and cut: After two or three days, the Lavashak will be ready. Cut into pieces and remove from the tray.
Making Lavashak is more than a cooking activity—it’s an experience that immerses you in Iranian heritage, flavors, and the simple joys of home-made culinary art. Visitors can witness the traditional process, taste the fresh results, and bring home a piece of Iran’s culinary culture.
