Deserts

1. Glyko Karydaki – Fresh Walnuts Preserved in Syrup

Ingredients:

50 fresh green Walnuts

2 kilos of sugar

4 – 5 cups of water for the final stage*

The juice of 5 – 6 lemons. Reserve the juice of ½ lemon for the end

50 blanched and roasted almonds

1 cup of quick lime

6 – 7 cloves

1 piece of cinnamon stick

Preparation:

Thinly Peel outer skin of the walnuts but you should wear gloves otherwise your hands will go black.   It takes a few days for the dye to wash off.

Take a skewer or a knitting needle and prick the walnuts, horizontally and vertically.

Wash each one separately and place them in a basin with water.

Leave them in a sunny place for six days changing the water twice a day.

Put some quick lime (‘asvesti’)  – in a muslin cloth and place in the basin with the walnuts and let them soak for 5-6 hours. This is optional but it helps to keep the walnuts firm.

Wash the walnuts thoroughly and put them into a large saucepan with plenty of water to cover them.

Boil for 2 – 3 minutes and strain.  Add cold water.

Make a slit on the top and insert a blanched and roasted almond inside.

Boil again for 2 -3 minutes, and again drain and put cold water.

Boil for a third time until soft. To know if the walnuts are ready, you should make the needle test. Take a skewer or a needle and prick the walnuts, if the needle passes through the walnut then the walnuts are ready for the final process and syrup.

Remove from the saucepan and put into a large bowl of cold water and add the lemon juice.

Leave in the water for 1 hour, this will make them crunchy and shiny. Change the water and place in a clean saucepan and cover with sugar and the water* (see above) and boil for 3 -4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Repeat this boiling procedure 8 times (twice a day) and by the end the syrup will thicken.

During the 8^th time add the cinnamon stick, the cloves and boil until syrup thickens. Add the remaining lemon juice. At no time should you put the lid on the saucepan during the whole procedure..

Allow to cool in the saucepan then store in clean and dry sterilized jars.