The golden pasteli of Amorgos
Pasteli, the diamond shaped traditional sweet made of sesame seeds and honey, is closely connected with life’s festivities in the Aegean Sea, and mostly in Amorgos island.
For the people of Amorgos, the preparation of the soft, nutritious and healthy pasteli, is another reason to feast. On the 17th of August, the annual meltemi winds spread the aromas of the warm honey and sesame seeds from the large pots to the wooden surfaces that are rubbed with red wine and where the pasteli is sprinkled with cumin seeds before it takes its final characteristic form.
It is a day for the youngest to learn and the oldest to share the secrets of this ancient recipe. Of course, there is traditional music and dancing… After all, the rich, flavored taste of this golden sweet accompanied joyful occasions since the beginning of life, on the Aegean islands.
Have you tasted it, yet?
words by maria alipranti
photos © christos drazos
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