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Green Walnut Preserve

A delicacy which should be attempted whenever green walnuts are available.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh shelled green walnuts
2 1/4 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 or 5 cloves

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Shell the walnuts carefully, trying not to break them. Soak them in cold water for 5 or 6 days, changing the water twice a day to remove any bitterness.

    Step 2

    Make a syrup by boiling the sugar and water with lemon juice until thickened enough to fall in heavy drops from a spoon. Let the syrup cool, then add the well-drained walnuts. Bring to the boil gently and simmer for 1/2 hour. Remove the pan from the heat and leave the walnuts submerged in the syrup overnight at room temperature.

    Step 3

    The following day, add the cloves, bring to the boil again, and simmer for 1/2 hour. Pour the walnuts and syrup into a clean glass jar, allow to cool, and close tightly.

Cover of Claudia Roden's The New Book of Middle Easter Food, featuring a blue filigree bowl filled with Meyer lemons and sprigs of mint.
Reprinted with permission from The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, copyright © 2000 by Claudia Roden, published by Knopf. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.
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