Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean you can’t make those foods said to represent Christ’s swaddling clothes. On the contrary, they can be eaten with delight any time of the year.
Cabbage leaves stuffed with a minced meat and rice filling and served with egg and lemon sauce (avgolemono). It is a firm N. Greek favourite at Christmas. The traditional version is made with pickled cabbage (toursi) and ground pork.
“Pancakes” are piled upon each other, each one spread with honey and covered with chopped nuts. Spargana (swaddling clothes), is what they are called in NW Greece.
Very thin phyllo leaves cut in pieces, brushed with olive oil or butter and stuffed with 3/4 cup roasted and chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup roasted and chopped almonds, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbs cinnamon powder, 1/3 tsp cumin powder, 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg and 1 tsp minced orange zest. There is nothing complicated about them. Just roll up and bake them until golden.
So wonderfully tasty
ΓΙΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΕΔΩ
Wishing you and your family a year of peace, good luck, good health and prosperity, Maria! Kalh xronia! 🙂
Although a family favorite, lahanodolmades haven’t ever been a Christmas tradition although I did recently read, as you ahve also shared, that they are a staple on the holiday tablein Northern Greece. I hope you enjoyed the holidays … kai kalh xronia Mariana!
Penelope mou, I wish you a great New Year, full of joy, good health and prosperity. Kai me to kalo stin patrida.
xxx 🙂
Yes, Magda, our grandmothers make the best food in the world, but regarding the lahanodolmathes it is my mother in law who is the kitchen witch. 🙂
Many wishes for all things wonderful for you in the New Year!
Ella mou! Always love reading your blog with my morning coffee. It helps me. I feel like I’m home again and I can smell the food cooking. Makes my heart feel full and happy. You always teach me the best things! I never knew this about Lahanodolmades.
Kisses to you and the family,
Xronyia Polla,
Wishing you a brilliant New Year!
Hugs,
Pen
Lahanodolmades always make an appearance at our Christmas and New Year’s table. My grandmother makes the best in the world (everyone’s grandmother does huh?) Happy holidays Mariana. Have a happy, healthy New Year!
Magda