Melomakarona literally means honey macarons in Greek. The Turkish version of this dessert is kalburabastı, which literally means pressed to sieve. Because after giving the cookie form, it is traditional to press the top of the cookie with a sieve for decoration.
This is a traditional festive cookie either for Greeks and for Turkish people.
The Christmas festive period of Greece starts on 25th of December(Christmas-Χριστούγεννα) and lasts until 6th of January (Theofania-Θεοφάνεια). The Father Christmas of Greece is Saint Basil of Caesarea- Kayseri. In Greece, unlike other countries where Saint Nicholas arrives on Christmas Eve, the Greek Father Christmas Saint Basil, visits children and give presents every New Year’s eve. For that reason like in Turkey also in Greece, it is customary to exchange small gifts on 31th of December.
In some parts of Greece, the honey biscuits~melomakarona called finikia, most probably the name comes from Finike city of Antalya.
•2 3/4 cup flour
•1 cup extra virgin olive oil
•1 cup orange juice
•1 cup chopped walnut
•3/4 cup sugar
•1 t baking powder
•1/2 t baking soda
•1/4 cup cognac or brandy
•1 t cinnamon
•1 t freshly grated nutmeg
•grated orange zest
Put dry ingredients into a bowl and mix them. Add liquid ingredients and combine to form a soft dough.
Roll the dough and shape different forms with cookie cutters.
Place the cookies on a parchment paper covered tray.
Bake 30 minutes at pre-heated 180° C oven until golden. Allow to cool a bit for 5 minutes.
For the syrup:
•1 cup honey
•1/4 cup sugar
•3/4 cup water
•1/2 lemon juice
Put them into a pot and bring to boil.
Dip the cookies into the syrup and let them absorb the syrup.
For the topping:
•1/4 cup chopped walnut
•1 T chopped pistachio
Sprinkle with chopped walnut and pistachio.
Store at room temperature.
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