Melomakarona Cookies
A classic staple in a Greek household during Christmas, Melomakarona are the perfect sweet treat with a refreshing fruity scent. Melomakarona are honey soaked, nutty, and orange flavored cookie enjoyed by many Greek families and many more. The nutty texture is from the walnuts added in the cookie, giving it a satisfying crunch. The fruity orange taste is from freshly squeezed orange juice, as well as the zest from the orange peel. An optional ingredient for the cookies can be Cognac, which gives the cookie a mature taste. Another ingredient included in the cookies are ground cloves, which gives the cookies a strong, forward flavor.
Brief History
Now, a brief history of these cookies. The name of the cookie, Melomakarona, traces its history back to the word "makaronia", which refers to a dish consumed at funerals as a blessing to the dead. The word "makaronia" also comes from the Greek word "makaria", which again, represented a sort of cake or bread, making it a symbolic food related to ancient funeral rituals. The sweet taste of honey provides a more joyful tone to the occasion that this cake provided at somber event. This paved the way for the modern Melomakarona cookies enjoyed today. below is a YouTube tutorial on how to make these cookies.