As customs and traditions flourish throughout Easter, Greek food carries its own impressive distinction and symbolism (i.e. eggs relate to rebirth, lamb to sacrifice, cake/bread to fertility, etc.). Much is said about Cretan culinary traditions during Easter. One thing is for sure: “Kallitsounia” is a treat worth tasting, for reasons that go beyond symbolism.
“Kallitsounia” (from Crete)
Sweet Cheese Pastries
For the dough
500gr butter
500gr sugar
30gr baking powder
9 eggs
1.600gr flour
For the filling
1kg mizithra
150gr sugar
3 eggs
½ tsp cinnamon
vanilla
DIRECTIONS
Blend butter with sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. One by one, add the eggs and blend well until the ingredients combine. Sieve the flour with the baking powder and add gradually to the mixture. Leave the dough to rest and prepare the filling, mixing all ingredients. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 0.30cm. Using a 10cm-12cm cutter, cut out circles. Add a spoonful of the mixture in the center of the dough, raise the rim and pull the dough in around the cheese (either with small pinches to the edges or in triangle/square shapes)
Before cooking, you may want to whisk eggs with a little water and brush the pastries.
Bake in the oven, at 180 C for about 30min.
