Sesame seed candy

Pasteli (Greek παστέλι (n. sg. ) ) Is a traditional Greek candy.

Composition

The classic Pasteli consists of sesame seeds, which are baked with honey into a kind of praline cookies or bars. It is common, therefore, particularly in the area of ​​Thessaloniki, is grown in the sesame seeds. There are also quite a few Pasteli bakeries are located.

Increasingly, however, also Pasteli became popular in the whole of Greece, which is made from almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts or pistachios. Besides honey and glucose and sugars may be used for the preparation.

The in Greece typically on Periptero (kiosk ) selling knusperriegelartige Pasteli receives its hard consistency through the use of granulated sugar.

History

Already in the Iliad Homer mentions a " Intrion " (Greek ἴντριον ) mentioned cake made ​​of honey and sesame seeds. Herodotus also mentions such a sweet dish, which was served with dances of boys and girls. In ancient Athens was the arriving guests σησαμῆ served at weddings, a mixture of roasted and crushed sesame seeds with honey. This tradition continues: On the Cyclades is still served to guests Pasteli at weddings and christenings, to Folegandros traditionally on lemon leaves.