Ingredients

Kataifi:
1 tablespoon cinnamon
4 teaspoons orange zest
1/2 cup sugar
2 pounds coarsely chopped walnuts
2 pounds coarsely chopped almonds
4 pounds butter
4 pounds shredded filo dough
Spray release oil

Syrup:
1 gallon water
7 pounds sugar
1 whole lemon
1/2 of a large orange
1 1/3 cinnamon sticks
3-4 whole cloves
1/3 to 1/2 gallon honey

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 18-by-24- by-2-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the first five ingredients in a large bowl and mix well with your hands. Melt the butter and brush the pan with butter. Spread 2 pounds of shredded filo on bottom of pan. Brush well with butter. Evenly spread the dry ingredient mixture on top of the filo and tap lightly. Spread the remaining two pounds of filo over the top, and butter extremely well.

Bake for 60 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

To make the syrup, mix water and sugar in a large pan until sugar has dissolved. Cut the oranges and lemons in quarters, squeeze juice and add to mixture. Add the cinnamon and cloves and bring to a boil. Boil vigorously 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and add honey. Stir well. This makes approximately 1 gallon. While it's still warm, pour syrup evenly on top of the baked kataifi. Each pan makes about 54 pieces.