Gastrin is a pastry made from layers of dough, sweetened with honey and molasses, and filled with a mixture of nuts, dried fruits, and poppy seeds.

Gastrin is one of the rare Cretan sweets known since ancient times, dating back to the Minoan era.

Ingredients for the dough:

• 500 grams wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 1 glass of water
• 100 grams roasted and crushed sesame seeds

Ingredients for the filling:

• 300 grams roasted and crushed almonds
• 300 grams crushed walnuts
• 300 grams crushed hazelnuts
• 100 grams roasted and crushed sesame seeds
• 100 grams poppy seeds
• 200 grams finely chopped dried figs
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 glass of honey

Ingredients for the syrup:

• 1 glass of sugar
• 1/2 glass of water
• 1/2 glass molasses
• 1/2 glass of honey
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Procedure:

Step 1: Combine the flour, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, water, and sesame seeds in a large clay or metal basin. Knead the mixture until it forms a soft dough. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and allow it to rest for about an hour.

Step 2: Combine all the ingredients for the filling in another large clay or metal basin and knead them together with heated honey.

Step 3: Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll out each portion into a thin sheet to create three phyllo sheets. Line a medium greased baking pan with one phyllo sheet, then spread half of the filling on top. Next, layer the second phyllo sheet and spread the remaining filling. Finally, cover with the third phyllo sheet and lightly drizzle with water. Sprinkle sesame seeds and poppy seeds on top, score the pastry into lozenges, and bake in a preheated oven at medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Step 4: While the pie cools, prepare the syrup.

Boil all the ingredients for the syrup in a saucepan for about 10 minutes.

Once the syrup is hot, pour it over the pie. Allow the syrup to soak in, and your Cretan gastrin is ready to be enjoyed.

Lena Igoumenaki

President of the Cretan Cuisine Festival Association