Kritiko Boureki # 3 (Courgette (Zucchini), Potato, Cream Cheese and Mint)

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~ Ingredients: ~ 3 large potatoes ~ 8 courgettes - zucchini (medium sized) ~ 1 large carrot peeled ~ 1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped ~ 350g of Cretan myzithra cheese (a creamy cheese-substitute with ricotta if myzithra is unavailable) ~ Sesame seeds ~ Salt and pepper to taste
~ Pastry Ingredients: ~ 3 cups plain flour ~ 1 tsp of salt ~ 1 cup of olive oil ~ 1 shot of ouzo ~ 1/2 to 1 cup of water (as much as needed for a soft dough consistency)

 

~ This tasty vegetable pie recipe comes from the island of Crete and specifically from the town of Hania. ~ Boureki is a Cretan pie which can be found all over Greece. ~ The Hania version "Boureki of Hania" is the only one which is made with a pie crust using homemade (or filo) pastry. ~ Other recipes for Kritiko Boureki are similar to a vegetable pie without the pastry. ~ This particular recipe uses grated vegetables rather than layered, making for a perfectly cooked dish every time. ~ Note that vegetables in layers are notoriously hard to evenly bake. ~ Place the flour in a bowl, add the salt and mix. ~ Make a well in the middle and pour in the olive oil and ouzo. ~ Mix to sticky smooth dough adding the water as needed. ~ Cut the dough in half and roll out two sheets of pastry to line and cover a large pie (or Pyrex) dish. ~ Peel, wash and grate the potatoes, courgettes (zucchini) and carrot into a large bowl. ~ Squeeze out the excess liquid by hand and discard. ~ Add the cheese, salt, pepper and mint and mix together. ~ Layer a pie dish with oil and layer with the rolled out pastry. ~ Add the filling mixture and spread evenly. ~ Cover the pie with the second layer of pastry and brush with olive oil. ~ With a sharp pointy knife mark into squares and sprinkle with sesame seeds. ~ Bake in a preheated oven at 350F or 180C for 45 minutes or until the crust is well browned. ~ Remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving. ~ In Crete and all over Greece the Kritiko Boureki (Courgette (Zucchini), Potato, Cream Cheese and Mint) is served as a main course, accompanied by freshly baked bread and Greek salad. Delicious! ~ Good luck and bon appétit.