Author and chef Maria Benardis of Greekalicious, loves the vibrant colour and sweet flavour of pumpkin. Now in season, she recommends you rush out, buy some pumpkin and start cooking.
The pumpkin is said to have originated in North America, in particular Mexico.
It is believed that the word pumpkin originates from the word “pepon” which is Greek for “large melon”. The French adapted this word to “pompon,” which the English changed to “pompion” and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, “pumpkin”.
In Greek cookery pumpkin is cooked as a soup; in breads; in dips; in pies with Greek cheeses and honey; pureed; in salads; in cakes; baked in the oven with lamb or chicken; and of course turned into keftedes (fritters). Keftedes and pies are certainly the favourites in Greece. Every region of Greece has its own keftedes and pie which are usually made using a local vegetable, meat, poultry, seafood or pulses. The island of Samos is renowned for its pumpkin pie.
The pumpkin is said to have originated in North America, in particular Mexico.
It is believed that the word pumpkin originates from the word “pepon” which is Greek for “large melon”. The French adapted this word to “pompon,” which the English changed to “pompion” and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, “pumpkin”.
In Greek cookery pumpkin is cooked as a soup; in breads; in dips; in pies with Greek cheeses and honey; pureed; in salads; in cakes; baked in the oven with lamb or chicken; and of course turned into keftedes (fritters). Keftedes and pies are certainly the favourites in Greece. Every region of Greece has its own keftedes and pie which are usually made using a local vegetable, meat, poultry, seafood or pulses. The island of Samos is renowned for its pumpkin pie.