Koulourakia

Kulurakia
Dessert
Kulurakia (top)
Alternative name(s):
Easter cookies
Place of origin:
Greece
Region or state:
Greece
Serving temperature:
Hot or cold
Main ingredient(s):
Butter
Recipes at Wikibooks:
Kulurakia
Media at Wikimedia Commons:
Kulurakia

Kulurakia (Greek: κουλουράκια, IPA: [kuluˈraca]; singular: κουλουράκι) are a traditional Greek dessert, typically made at Easter to be eaten after Holy Saturday.

They are a butter-based pastry, traditionally hand-shaped, with egg glaze on top. They have a sweet delicate flavor with a hint of vanilla. Kulurakia are well known for their sprinkle of sesame seeds and distinctive ring shape. In fact, the word is the diminutive form for a ring-shaped loaf or lifebelt. These pastries were also often shaped like small snakes by the Minoans, as they worshiped the snake for its healing powers.

Now the pastries can be shaped into braided circles, hairpin twists, figure eights, twisted wreaths, horseshoes or Greek letters, although they are still often shaped into a snake style. They are commonly eaten with morning coffee or afternoon tea. Like all pastries, they are normally kept in dry conditions in a jar with a lockable lid.

Often, a clove is added in the middle of the pastry for added flavor.

See also

• Easter biscuit - English Easter treat
• Biscotti

External links

• Greek Easter Traditions

v t e Cuisine of Greece History Ancient Greek cuisine Ancient Greece and wine Byzantine cuisine Influences Italian cuisine Ottoman cuisine Ingredients Basil Dill Eggplant Honey Mastic Olive oil Olives Oregano Raisin Tomato Thyme Salads Dakos Greek salad Melitzanosalata Skordalia Taramosalata Tirokafteri Tzatziki Appetizers Bakaliaros Dolma Fava Kalamaria Kolokythoanthoi Kolokythakia Koulouri Lakerda Loukaniko Lountza Octopus Paximadi Pita Spanakopita Tyropita Cheeses Anthotyros Feta Formaela Graviera Kalitsounia Kasseri Kefalotyri Kefalograviera Manouri Metsovone Metsovela Mizithra Saganaki San Michali Xynotyro Xynomizithra Dishes Apáki Anginares alla Polita Atherina Bourdeto Garides Gemista Gigandes plaki Giouvetsi Gyros Hilopites Lagos Stifado Keftedakia Kokkinisto Kokoretsi Leaf vegetable Manestra Moussaka Mussels Pastitsada Pastitsio Pilafi Savoro Sheftalia Smyrna meatballs Snails Spanakorizo Spezzofai Strapatsada Sofrito Souvla Souvlaki Swordfish Tsigareli Soups Avgolemono Fasolada Kakavia Chicken soup Magiritsa Psarosoupa Revithia Trahanas Desserts Copenhagen (dessert) Diples Finikia Galaktoboureko Galatopita Halva Karydopita Koulourakia Kourabiedes Lazarakia Loukoumades Loukoumi Mandolato Melitini Melomakarona Melopita Moustokouloura Pasteli Spoon sweets Trigona Tsoureki Vasilopita Wines Agiorgitiko Aidini Assyrtiko Athiri Kotsifali Lesbian wine Limnio Mavrodafni Mandilaria Moschofilero Retsina Robola Savatiano Vilana Xinomavro Drinks Kitron Kumquat Mastika Metaxa Ouzo Rakomelo Tentura Tsipouro Tsikoudia Frappé coffee See also Kafenio Meze Ouzeri Taverna Notable products Avgotaraho Florina pepper Greek wine Fava Santorinis Kalamata (olive) Krokos Kozanis (Saffron) Zante currant Greece portal