Cyprus traditional food: Kolokoti

Simply put, a Kolokoti is a scrumptious pumpkin pie made with diced pumpkin, raisins, wheat, olive oil and raisins. The almost ‘calzone-like’ pastry is seasoned with cinnamon. Especially popular amongst the locals, these delicious pies are made in every single bakery on the island; available 24 hours every day.

Let’s give you an insight into the preparation of these delicious pastries, so you can enjoy them at home!

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 500 grams all purpose flour (or bread flour)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 200 ml water (about 1 cup)

For the filling:

• 750 grams pumpkin or butternut squash, cubed, shredded or grated
• 1/3 cup carolina (similar to arborio) rice (or bulgur wheat)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup fennel fronds, finely chopped
• ½ cup almonds, skin on, coarsely pounded
• 1/3 cup sultana raisins
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fennel fronds
• Olive oil to brush on top

Preparation

1. Prep the dough and let it rest for half an hour.  (See video how to make homemade phyllo by hand or using the pasta maker).
2. Peel the pumpkin and remove the seeds and threads preferably with a spoon and cut it into small cubes (about 1 cm) or shred it in your food processor.
3. Place it in a bowl together with the rice (or bulgur wheat), sugar, olive oil, almonds, raisins, fennel fronds and the spices and mix.
4. Roll out your dough and stop before your phyllo becomes transparent.
5. Place a small plate of about 15 cm (6 inches) diameter on the phyllo and cut round circles. On one side place a spoonful of the filling and cover with the other half.
6. Gently press to join the two edges.
7. Take both sides and turn up pressing with fingers so as to crimp the dough.
8.  them in an oiled baking tin or on parchment paper and brush them with olive oil, orange juice or with egg wash and bake them in a preheated oven to 180°C for 30 minutes or until golden on top.

And you’re all done! For more recipes stay tuned on our blog or follow our pages on social media to discover more local delights served at our hotels in Cyprus.