Field Guide to Candy: How to Identify and Make Virtually Every Candy Imaginable (49 page)

2.
Continue cooking until it reaches 240°F, soft ball stage. Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.

3.
Beat the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until it becomes very thick and creamy and loses its glossy sheen. Do not let the mixture set.

4.
Immediately pour the mixture into candy molds to set, about 20 minutes.

Yield:

About 24 maple candies

Storage:

Store in an airtight container between sheets of wax paper for up to 1 month.

General Description:

Perhaps one of the first candies ever made, these Greek honey candies are thin, chewy bars of honey mixed with sesame seeds
. The most traditional version of this ancient Greek specialty uses just these two ingredients and is sweet and nutty, sticky, and crunchy. Other versions contain sugar or corn syrup, which create a firmer, crunchier bar. Sometimes nuts and dried fruit are added; pistachios are popular. With nutritious ingredients and no refined sugar, pasteli is one of the most healthful candies.

History:

Honey is the world’s first sweetener. The Greek islands, famed for their varieties of flowers, were early producers of honey. Ancient Greeks valued bees and the honey they produced. It is possible that ambrosia, the food of the Greek gods, was in fact honey. Homer’s epic
Iliad
includes a reference to a sesame and honey pie, perhaps a forebearer of pasteli. Different varieties of pasteli exist throughout Greece, each using local honeys and ingredients to create a unique version of this ancient candy.

Serving Suggestions:

Because both honey and sesame seeds are nutritious, these candies are a healthful alternative to other traditional candies. Serve pasteli as a light dessert or take them along as energy boosters on a hike.

Candy-Making Notes:

The best-known Greek honey is made from wild thyme, and it is also the most common honey used for pasteli. But any honey will work; experiment with different varieties to find your favorites.

Recipe:

1.
Line a baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2.
Combine honey and lemon peel in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

3.
Add sesame seeds and stir to combine. Continue to cook until it reaches 250°F, hard ball stage.

4.
Remove from heat and pour mixture into the pan. Use an offset spatula to spread the mixture as evenly as possible, about ½ inch thick.

5.
When it has cooled and set, use a well-oiled knife to cut into pieces.

Yield:

About 20 pieces

Storage: