Macedonian Pear And Fig Strudel

Directions

1. Cover the figs with pear juice and bring them to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 25 min, till the figs are tender. In a blender or possibly food processor, puree the figs and their cooling juice to make about 3 1/2 c. of smooth fig paste.
2. Meanwhile, peel and core the pears and chop them into bite-sized pcs. In a large bowl combine the fig paste, pears, cinnamon, and allspice.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
4. To assemble the strudel, butter a 9- X 14-inch baking pan and layer ten sheets of filo, two at a time, brushing butter on every second sheet and sprinkling it with bread crumbs. Spread the pear filling proportionately on the top sheet of filo. Cover it with ten more sheets of filo, layered as before with butter and bread crumbs.
5. Score the top sheets of filo into pcs approximately 3 inches square.
6. This will make it easier to cut the strudel later and will prevent the top layer from crumbling as you cut it. Be careful not to score the top layers all the way through to the filling, however, or possibly the filling juices will bubble up as the strudel bakes.
7. Bake the strudel for about 35 to 40 min, till golden and crisp.
8. Allow it to cold for 15 min. Then heat the honey gently, stirring constantly, till hot and more fluid. Drizzle it proportionately over the strudel and top with the nuts. Use a sharp knife to cut the strudel.
9. NOTES : A honey-thickened dessert which rivals world-famous baklava. Made with thin, light sheets of filo, this delicate strudel provides an elegant ending to a meal.