Georgia About

Gozinaki (Georgian: გოზინაყი) is a traditional Georgian confection made of caramelized nuts fried in honey and usually eaten on New Year’s Eve and Christmas. In this recipe we show how to make gozinaki with hazelnuts.

Ingredients: Half kilo of hazelnuts, 4 heaped tbs of honey and 1 tbs of sugar.

Preparation: Shell the hazelnuts. Add to a hot pan and heat on a low-medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

Stir continuously with a wooden spoon to loosen the skins.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little. Remove the skins from the warm nuts with your fingers.

Allow the nuts to cool and then chop.

Add 4 heaped tbs of honey to a pan. Heat on a low temperature, stirring continuously for 8-10 minutes.

Check the consistency of the honey. It should be thick.

Reduce the temperature to a very low heat and add 1 tbs of sugar to the honey and stir.

Gradually add the chopped hazelnuts.

Continuously stir for 2-3 minutes.

Wet the surface of a wooden chopping board and wipe off any excess water. Add some of the hazelnut/honey mixture to the board.

Use the back of a wet metal spoon to flatten the mixture.

You can also flatten it with your hands (they must be wet). Complete the flattening process with a rolling pin that has been dampened with water.

Use your palms to straighten the edges until you have a square shaped block.

Heat a knife in a flame and cut the gozinaki into diagonal strips.

Then cut vertical strips.

Serving: Lightly dust a plate with sugar and arrange the gozinaki into a pattern.  We made a snowflake pattern.

Enjoy your Gozinaki. Happy New Year!

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