Amygdala is the name of almonds in Greek and this dessert is called Amygdalota “all almonds”. There are a few versions either baked or not. These desserts are traditionally made in the Cyclades islands, shaped liked small pears with a clove inserted on the top and showered with confectioners’ sugar. I made a twist to this traditional recipe and instead of adding confectioners’ sugar I melted white chocolate and gave them a chocolate bath.
They are so easy to make that your children would love to help you making them.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Makes: 20
Ingredients:
- 250 gr. Almonds, blanched and grounded
- 250 gr. Confectioners’ sugar
- 30 grams of orange blossom water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 100 grams of white chocolate
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 2- 3 tablespoons of heavy cream
- 5 -6 almonds blanched, roasted and pounded (optional)
Directions:
Blanche the almonds and dry them. Grind in a food processor until powdered. Add sugar and orange blossom water and mix either in the mixer using the K paddle or just mix with a spoon. Keep adding rose water until it becomes like a dough.
Shape into small pears and set aside.
In a double boiler melt chocolate with butter and mix in heavy cream. If you like you made add some blanched roasted almonds.
Dip amygdaloto in chocolate and with a fork and a spoon try and carefully get one on the fork, so that excess chocolate will fall off.
Place in cup cake cases.
On Christmas Eve one of the few traditions, preserved in its entirety to this day, is Kalanta.
Kalanta are similar to Christmas carols and are sung on the Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany Eve, each time with a different song.
All the children go around from house to house in small groups, some playing a musical instrument such as a guitar or a harmonica but the most usual one is a metallic triangle held in one hand and hit with a wand producing a metallic sound. On each of the above three occasions they would sing different carols, which usually describe the occasion and end up by wishing the landlord good health and prosperity. In the past the children would be given traditional sweets such as kourabiedes and melomacarona but now they are only tipped with some coins.
Here is what all the children will be singing
I also wish all of you Happiness, Health and Prosperity. Kala Christougenna “Merry Christmas”.
Tags: Carols, Chocolates, Christmas, Desserts, Kalanta, My recipes
December 24th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Mmmhhh, with white chocolate… Nice song!
Cheers,
Rosa xoxo
December 24th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Ivy,
These look amazing, I love almonds and white chocolate. That first photo is great! Have a great holiday.
December 24th, 2008 at 7:27 am
these are amazing!!! happy holidays to you!!!
December 24th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Ευτυχισμένος ο Καινούργιος Χρόνος! Ivy, all my very best Compliments of the Season for you and your family. And your amygdalota look excellent!
December 24th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
The amygdalota look amazing Ivy! The white chocolate is a nice touch. All the best wishes for you and your family this coming festive season. Chronia Polla!
December 24th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Amygdalota…gotta have them during Christmas and decadent additions like white chocolate are called for!
I wish you and your family and Merry Christmas, health & happiness in 2009.
December 24th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Καλὰ Χριστούγεννα καὶ καλὴ χρονιά! Take care and eat more for me ok??? ho ho ho…hee hee hee…
Lots of hugs!
December 24th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
ooh i love the songs ho ho ho ho… police stops my car (sing to feliz navidad) from the Christmas song Medley
I think I loved most is My Favourite Things…always reminded me of The Sounds Of Music! I always hummed this song when I’m sad.
Thank you so much for sharing the music!
December 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
As always Ivy, something beautiful and so yummy sounding. There is something so festive about white.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Definitely no one will go hungry in your home. All of these traditional desserts look delicious. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
December 25th, 2008 at 2:00 am
These look delightful Ivy. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
December 25th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
yummylicoius! Kala Christougenna “Merry Christmas” to you too!
December 25th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Hi ivy
the almond dessert looks very tempting to palates…wow.
I would also like to wish you Merry Christmas and wonderful ushering into new year 2009.
December 26th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Happy Holidays Ivy! What a perfect way to celebrate it with these…
December 28th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
lovely looking amygdalota. I’ve never tasted any but the ingredients so appeal to me that I’m sure I’d love them!