The Pakhlava I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Pakhlava and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the richly layered was right, quince was handled the way it should be.

Azerbaijani cuisine reflects Turkic, Persian, and Caucasian influences meeting at a historical crossroads. Growing up it was always a Caspian seafood restaurant, which shaped my reference point entirely. sherbet fruit drink alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.