“Walnut cake has been a common dessert in Greece for a long time, particularly for villagers with limited resources. Nuts are abundant in Greece, and they have been harvested since ancient times. The Greek word for walnut is karydia (καρυδιά); Karydopita (Greek: Καρυδόπιτα) is a Greek dessert cake made primarily from walnuts and covered in a sweet syrup. There are several variations of the dish, with unique ingredients used in both the syrup and cake. Some common additions include, but are not limited to, orange zest, cloves, brown sugar, and spiced rum or cognac. The syrup gets soaked into the cake and the result is a fragrant and delicious dessert that everyone loves.”
UC Davis Health writes: “The history of walnuts can be traced back to ancient Persia, where they were once meant for royalty. Eventually, walnuts made their way to California where they were listed in the state’s top 10 agricultural commodities of 2021. Walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for reducing inflammation. In fact, it is the only nut significantly high in these omega-3 fatty acids. Their anti-inflammatory compounds may reduce the risk of heart disease.”
This recipe from Greece Is is a testament to the fact that well-heeled Athenians could afford the good things in life. It’s a traditional Greek dessert that’s especially delicious served with a cup of Greek or Armenian coffee.
Ingredients:
7 medium-sized eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
