Kashta, frequently transliterated ashta, is a creamy component of many Lebanese pastries. It also figures in at least two flavors of Cedars' housemade ice cream (single scoop, $1.50), one studded with pistachios, and this simple version traced with rosewater. Kashta is thickened with sahlep, the powdered tuber of a Middle Eastern orchid that also bolsters a hot Turkish beverage. The elastic consistency of kashta ice cream traditionally comes from mastic, the resin of a tree native to Greece; a similar resin is derived from two species of acacia.
Cedars has a large seating area where you can enjoy its confections on the premises. Even in colder weather, stopping in for a scoop of Lebanese ice cream isn't such a stretch.
Cedars Pastry
7204 Fifth Ave. (72nd-73rd Sts.), Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
718-238-8111
THEY HAVE GREAT BAKLAVA HERE, TOO!
Posted by: Barry | January 02, 2012 at 03:08 PM
It was pretty cold and rainy this year and not very conducive to enjoying pastries outside very often.
Posted by: Swami Prakashanand Saraswati | January 03, 2012 at 02:51 AM
Baklava is one pastry I love to eat. I rarely make it as it is time consuming process. I like your blog as it is short and sweet.
Posted by: buy baklava | February 20, 2012 at 09:08 AM