What Greek spoon sweet is made from unripe walnuts?

Karydaki is the Greek spoon sweet made from young, unripe walnuts.

The name refers to a small or young walnut, and the preserve is also commonly called glyko karydaki. The walnuts are harvested in late spring or early summer, before the inner shell hardens. At this stage, the entire green fruit can be pierced and cooked, rather than being cracked open to remove a mature nut.

Preparation is deliberately slow. The walnuts are usually pierced and soaked in water, often with repeated water changes to reduce bitterness. They are then simmered in a concentrated sugar syrup, sometimes flavored with lemon, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla or rose geranium. The finished walnuts become dark, tender and glossy while retaining their shape.

Karydaki belongs to the broader Greek tradition of glyka tou koutaliou, or “spoon sweets.” These preserves are traditionally served in small portions to guests, often with a glass of cold water or Greek coffee. Rose, fig and quince are also used for spoon sweets, but those varieties are made from different ingredients. Karydaki is specifically the young-walnut version.