Almond spoon sweet

Γλυκόν αμυγδάλουΑνάκτηση από: http://www.limnatis.org/index.php?lang=el&article=11

A traditional sweet of the Kouris-Xylouriko region, using almonds as the basic ingredient. It contains sugar and various aromas.

Name - Origin

Cypriot name of food

Γλυκόν αμυγδάλου. Glykón amygdálou.

Greek name - description

Γλυκό αμυγδάλου. A traditional sweet of the Kouris-Xylouriko region, using almonds as the basic ingredient. It contains sugar and various aromas (MANRE 2010).

Processing method

Almonds are skinned and ground. A syrup which contains water, sugar, mastic, rose water, lemon juice is prepared and gradually added to the ground almonds until a uniform paste is formed. This sweet is packaged in glass jars (MANRE 2010).

'In order to make almond spoon sweet, the almonds must first be blanched, skinned and ground. We prepare a syrup (water, sugar, mastic, rose water, lemon juice) which we gradually add to the ground almonds until a uniform paste is formed. This sweet is then placed in glass jars and it is ready to eat." (limnatis.org)

Functional and symbolic role

Nutritional Value and Importance in the Diet of Cypriots

Consumed as a dessert.

Festive Occasions

In some villages, after the betrothal the two families would exchange kanishia (gifts). On the first day, the groom's family would take almond sweet to the bride'e family, while on the day following the betrothal, the bride's family would take almond sweet to the groom's family (Protopapa 2005, vol.)

A wedding treat was made with blanched almonds and sugar to form almond sweet. It was more difficult to prepare than other spoon sweets and was customary at richer people's weddings (Protopapa 2005, vol. B, 196).

Additional information and bibliography

Time period

19th - 21st c.

Supplementary Information

No historical sources have been traced so far. However, the Kouris-Xylourikou area, and in particular the communities around the community of Limnatis, have the largest production of almonds in the whole of Cyprus which are used as the raw material for the production of this local sweet. Moreover, the Blossoming Almond Tree festival is organised in Limnatis every year, which includes a demonstration of the preparation method of almond sweet (MANRE 2010).

Bibliography

Protopapa, K. (2005). Έθιμα του παραδοσιακού γάμου στην Κύπρο (traditional marriage customs in Cyprus) Publications of the Cyprus Centre for Scientific Research XLV), vols. A-B, Cyprus Centre for Scientific Research, Nicosia.

Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment (MANRE), Department of Agriculture (2010). Gastronomic Map of Cyprus, Press and Information Office (P.I.O. 379/2010-2.000), Nicosia.

Limnatis Community Council (2010). Traditional products.

Researcher/Recorder

Stalo Lazarou, Demetra Zannetou, Petroula Hadjittofi

Foods

Athassi(n) - almond

Almond.