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The Endless Variety of Greek Pies, or Pitas

Greek pies
Credit:Vanessa C/CC BY-NC-ND-2.0

Greeks are known for their love of food, and why wouldn’t they be since they have one of the richest and most popular cuisines in the world to say the least?

However, one specific type of Greek traditional food, the pie, holds a special place in the country’s cuisine, as it is among the oldest, simplest, and most delicious dishes one can find in Greece.

There are so many variations of ”pites,” as they are known in Greek, that it may be impossible to determine precisely how many different kinds of Greek pies there are out there.

Nonetheless, regardless of their filling or their different types of crusts, Greek pies share some basic common characteristics.

Namely, they are made of the simplest yet most delicious ingredients, and they can feed a lot of hungry people.

Greek pies have been a staple food since antiquity

This is the reason why pies were able to keep much of the Greek population alive during the tough years of World War II and every other time the country had to face harsh conditions.

Almost every Greek household, even back into antiquity, had some flour, a little bit of olive oil, some milk or cheese, and herbs.

These basic ingredients can be used to make one of the most delicious Greek pies out there: the much-loved “tiropita.”

Tiropita, which literally means cheese pie, could be described as the most basic form of pie from which all other variations emerge.

The phyllo pastry is comprised of flour while milk produces the feta cheese and herbs from the backyard or nearby mountains add the much-needed flavor to this delicious dish. And then comes culinary chaos!

Greek pies
Spanakopita. Credit: Tanya Bakogiannis/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

Pies can have any filling—sweet or savory

There is no rule book for preparing a Greek pie, as just about any ingredient can be added to the dish.

Spinach, leeks, tomatoes, leafy greens, pumpkin, peppers, chicken, lamb, pork, cream, mushrooms, pasta, turkey, mince, beans…and the list goes on, and on, and on.

Of course, the kind of pie you’ll find in a specific region of Greece is determined by its traditions, climate, and history.

For example, northern parts of the Greek mainland are known for their thick, hearty pies with a great deal of meat and fat since their winters are long and harsh, and these pies offer people some much-needed calories.

Kreatopita, traditionally made with minced pork and leeks in Macedonia, is a great example of this tradition.

A similar example is the famous ”bougatsa,” another Northern Greek delicacy, traditionally made with thick custard, cinnamon, and ”bougatsa” pastry, which is a more tender, yet still crispy variation of phyllo pastry.

On the other hand, the southern regions of the country and its many islands have tons of traditional pies that are a bit lighter with less animal fat and more olive oil, vegetables, and fine cheeses.

A mouth-watering example of this would be the ”strifti” from Skopelos.

While it is by no means a ”light” dish, strifti is traditionally made from goat milk cheese or feta cheese and a swirly, super-crunchy phyllo pastry full of aromas from the island’s herbs.

Lighter variations of strifti include pies made with mizithra cheese, which is a softer, less sharp version of the Greek-style cheese or simply made with greens and vegetables without any added animal fat or meat; this is most ideal for vegetarians.

Delicious sweet Greek pies for dessert

The traditionally sweet Greek pie made with pumpkin is a common, hearty dish consumed from October until the end of winter.

Other sweet pies are made with custard, milk, or even cheese, which all have a lovely taste even when cooked as a sweet, such as the mizithra pie mentioned above.

The list of examples of pie variations from Greece could literally be endless.
Each region of Greece is justifiably proud of its own ”pita,” so why don’t you go out there and discover it on your own?

Now, if you’re away from Greece, there’s still no need to despair. You don’t have to wait until your next trip to this magical country to taste these delicacies for yourself.

Your local delicatessen could offer you the opportunity to buy some traditional Greek ingredients to try and make one on your own!

Be creative and feel free to use all these different ingredients from all over the country to make your own special Greek delicacy, which could be the best way to help you remember the flavors of Greece.

Below are some of the most delicious ”pitas,” you can try at home.

Spanakopita, tiropita, and kreatopita

Greek pies
Spanakopita. Credit: Alpha/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

Probably Greece’s most famous and loved pastry, the spanakopita is a delicious dish based on spinach and feta cheese. In addition to spinach, leeks, dill, and other vegetables and herbs can be added to the pie.

It is widely eaten across the country and is one of the most well-known Greek dishes globally.

tiropita
Tiropita. Credit: Tanya Bakogiannis/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

The tiropita, or cheese pie, can be described as the foundation of Greek pies.
Made with many different kinds of dough and a mixture of Greek cheeses, this dish is a savory choice that makes for a unique gastronomical experience.

For meat lovers, “kreatopita” is a general term that describes Greek pies filled with meat and spices.

Traditionally made in northern parts of the country, such as Macedonia and Epirus, it normally has a filling of minced beef or pork and vegetables, such as leeks and onions.

Strifti, potato pie, and Greek pumpkin pie

Greek pies
Strifti tiropita. Credit: Fajardoalacant /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

This traditional pie, strifti, from the island of Skopelos, is a delicious, flavorful cheese pie made with either feta or goat cheese.

Also known as ”the pie from Kozani,” this swirly, circular cheese pie is considered as one of the tastiest Greek pies one can find.

Patatopita is Greece’s famous potato pie. This unique dish is made with herbs and potatoes, making it an earthy, mouth-filling dish eaten in many parts of the country mainly during winter.

One of the most famous sweet Greek pies, kolokythopita, or pumpkin pie, offers a unique taste of the country’s cuisine.

Made with pumpkin across the nation in autumn and winter, the ”kolokithopita” dish, which can also be prepared with feta for a savory twist, is a must for anyone who loves Greek food.

Kotopita, kaseropita, and the famous sweet pie, bougatsa

bougatsa
Bougatsa. Credit: avlxyz /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

The sweet miracle of Northern Greeks, ”bougatsa” is made with a special, tender yet crunchy phyllo pastry filled with thick custard.

In Northern Greece, people enjoy it in both savory and sweet forms, with ingredients ranging from spinach to minced beef and even chocolate, but southern Greeks prefer its sweet variation.

A variation of the meat pie, the kotopita is a delicious snack that features chicken instead of beef or pork.

It is considered a tasty yet lighter dish than meat pie, and it normally contains peppers and vegetables for extra flavor.

The ”kaseropita” is a tangier variation of the famous tiropita, as it features a unique kind of Greek cheese, called “kaseri,” which is yellow like cheddar cheese.

The dish is a great alternative for those who do not like feta cheese or want to try something new.

 

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