Σουτζούκος — Print Recipe

A traditional sweet made by repeatedly dipping strings of walnuts into thick grape must (moustalevria) until a chewy, fruity coating builds up — the Cypriot ancestor of modern fruit leather.

Ingredients

2 litres fresh grape must (unfermented grape juice)
1 cup flour
2 cups walnut halves
1 tbsp rose water
String for threading

Instructions

1 Thread walnut halves onto strings about 30cm long, leaving space between each nut.
2 Bring grape must to a boil. Gradually whisk in flour to thicken into a smooth, pudding-like consistency.
3 Add rose water and stir well.
4 Dip each walnut string into the hot grape must, coating completely. Hang to dry for 4-6 hours.
5 Repeat the dipping and drying process 3-4 more times until a thick coating builds up.
6 Hang in a cool, dry place for 3-5 days until firm. Cut into pieces to serve.

Did You Know?

During grape harvest in September, Cypriot villages are draped with hundreds of soujoukos strings hanging from balconies and clotheslines to dry.