Walnut Pasteli

Walnut Pasteli is a traditional Greek candy made with just five ingredients: walnuts, honey, water, cinnamon, and cloves. The walnuts are toasted in a fragrant honey syrup, then poured into a pan and left to cool. Once set, the pasteli is cut into squares and enjoyed as a sweet treat.

Walnut Pasteli has a long history in Greece, dating back to the Byzantine era. It is believed that the candy was originally made by monks in the monasteries of Mount Athos. The monks would use the walnuts and honey that were abundant in the area to make a simple but nutritious snack. Over time, the recipe for Walnut Pasteli spread to the rest of Greece and became a popular treat for both children and adults.

Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, water, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and turns a light amber color.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the walnuts. Pour the mixture into a greased 8x8 inch baking pan and let cool completely.
3. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Why It Works

• The honey in the syrup helps to caramelize the walnuts, giving them a rich and nutty flavor.
• The cinnamon and cloves add a warm and fragrant spice to the candy.
• The pasteli is left to cool completely before cutting, which allows the syrup to set and the candy to become firm.