Greek Walnut Preserves | Spoon Sweets | Glykó Karydáki | Γλυκό Καρυδάκη

walnuts

🥗Healthier: pecans

💰Cheaper: almonds

Pecans offer similar texture with fewer calories.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: agave syrup

Honey provides natural sweetness with added flavor.

Pick about 2.5 pounds of green walnuts that haven't formed a shell.

Peel the walnuts while wearing gloves to avoid skin discoloration.

Pierce each walnut several times with a skewer to allow water to penetrate.

Soak the peeled and pierced walnuts in filtered water for 7 days, changing the water twice daily.

After 7 days, drain the walnuts and place them in a large pot, covering them with water.

Bring the pot to a boil and boil the walnuts for 5 minutes, then drain.

Repeat the boiling process a total of 5 times to eliminate bitterness and soften the walnuts.

After boiling, cool the walnuts under cold running water and test for tenderness with a needle.

In a separate pot, combine 2.5 pounds of sugar and 2.75 cups of water, stirring until dissolved and bringing to a boil.

Add a cinnamon stick and 4-5 cloves to the sugar mixture, and optionally add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Boil the sugar syrup until it reaches 225°F (107°C).

Add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to the syrup and bring it back to a rolling boil.

Add the prepared walnuts to the boiling syrup and boil for 20 minutes.

Spoon the mixture into sterilized glass jars and store in the fridge.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens