Melomakarono
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Greece |
| Main ingredients | Semolina, olive oil and honey |
The melomakarono (Greek: μελομακάρονο plural: μελομακάρονα, melomakarona) is an egg-shaped Greek dessert made mainly from flour, olive oil, and honey.[1] Along with the kurabies, it is a traditional dessert prepared primarily during the Christmas holiday season. They are also known as finikia.[2][3][4]
Typical ingredients of the melomakarono are flour or semolina, sugar, orange zest and/or fresh juice, cognac (or similar beverage), cinnamon, crushed or ground clove and olive oil.[5][6] During rolling they are often filled with ground walnuts. Immediately after baking, they are immersed for a few seconds in cold syrup made of honey and sugar dissolved in water. Finally, they are decorated with ground, as well as bigger pieces of walnut. Dark chocolate-covered melomakarona are also a more recent variation of the traditional recipe.
Origin
Historically, melomakarona are thought to be derived from the ancient and medieval makaria, which were eaten during funerals. Gradual changes in the recipe and the addition of dipping them in honey led to melomakarona which etymologically is derived from the Greek word for honey "meli" and "makaria".[7]
Some allege that melonmakarono, also known as finikia, originated in Ancient Phoenicia.[8][9]
See also
References
- ^ "Melomakarona - Honey Cookies with Walnuts". About.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-27. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
- ^ "Greek Melomakarona Are Tasty Walnut Cookies Sweetened With Honey". The Spruce Eats.
- ^ "Finikia". Allrecipes.com. Archived from the original on 2010-12-13. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
- ^ "Our Favorite Traditional Greek Cookies for the Holidays". The National Herald. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
- ^ Yagkou, Varvara. "Μελομακάρονα γεμιστά". foodmuseum.cs.ucy.ac.cy (in Greek). Cyprus Food Virtual Museum. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "Μελομακάρονα γεμιστά". mysteriousgreece.com. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "The Etymological Roots of Melomakarona and Kourambiedes". greece.greekreporter.com. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Greek Christmas Dessert Crowned 'King' of Europe by Taste Atlas Greek City Times". Greek City Times. 29 December 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ James, Judy Orr (2022). Akron Family Recipes: History and Traditions from Sauerkraut Balls to Sweet Potato Pie. Arcadia Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-1-4671-5256-3. Retrieved 7 January 2026.