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Kolokotes with figs, a twist on the tradtional recipe

Kolokotes with figs, a twist on the tradtional recipe

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Kolokotes with figs is a twist I made of the traditional Cypriot recipe.

Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean?

Say hello to my not so traditional Kolokotes, a delightful Cypriot pumpkin pie, traditionally prepared during the autumn season.

But wait, we’re not stopping at tradition. Today, we’re going to put a unique twist on this classic recipe by incorporating the delightful flavors of figs, almonds, orange, and sage. Get ready to savour the fusion of sweet and savory with a touch of citrusy brightness.

Kolokotes pumpkin pies with fig image

The Royal Foodie Joust hosted by Jen, The Leftover Queen, tends to be getting a big challenge every month.

The winner of the previous month’s challenge, which was Susan at Sticky Gooey Creamy Chewy, who chose acorn squash, oranges and sage, three ingredients difficult to pair together. (I had to use butternut squash, as I cannot find acorn squash in Greece).

Last week my husband and son made a short trip to Sparta and came back with lots of products which my in-laws sent me and which they grow in their garden: Two huge pumpkins, lots of litres of extra virgin olive oil, green olives, honey and free range eggs.

All the products are organic and the chickens and ducks are fed only on leftover food they have, so I had to start using one of the two pumpkins.

I could not come up with a savoury dish and I opted to make a twist on the classic Cypriot recipe Kolokotes. 

Kolokotes, are turnovers, similar to boureki or borek, also called calzone in Italy or empanadas, in Spain and Mexico  or  pita as we call them in Greece.

This pita is a combination of sweet and savoury and you can definitely accompany it with a glass of wine or beer.

Kolokotes (Pumpkin Pie) with Figs, almonds, Orange and Sage

Preparation time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Baking time: about 30 minutes

Yields: about 30 small pies

Ingredients:

Dough

  • 500 gr. all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon wine vinegar
  • The juice of 1 orange (about 1 cup)
  • About 1/2 cup of water

Filling

  • 1 kilo butternut squash
  • 1 cup of rice or bulgur wheat
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • A few sprigs of fennel fronds, finely cut (about half a cup)
  • 1 cup of almonds
  • 1/2 cup of raisins
  • 10 – 15 dried figs
  • orange zest (about 1 teaspoon)

Directions:
Peel the pumpkin and remove
the seeds and threads preferably with a spoon and grate the pumpkin on the side making the big pieces.

Place it in a bowl and put the finely chopped fennel and all the other ingredients i.e. the spices, rice, sugar, oil, the almonds, pounded but not peeled, the orange zest and the raisins and mix them well.

mixture of kolokotes with figs image

Dough:

See step by step instructions how to make the dough here.

To make the dough, mix the salt with flour in a big bowl and pour in the oil. Using your fingertips rub the oil with the flour, until the flour has absorbed the oil.

Add vinegar and orange juice.

Start adding water gradually until the dough is soft but not sticky on your hands. Place on a floured surface and knead for five minutes.

Alternatively you can make the dough in your food processor adding ingredients same as above until the dough does not stick on the walls of the bowl. Vinegar is optional added when we want a crunchy phyllo.

Cover with cling film or a kitchen towel for half an hour.

Sprinkle the dough with flour or corn starch before rolling it out on a floured surface.

Roll out dough and place a small plate of about 10 cm. diameter and cut with a sharp knife in round circles.

preparing.kolokotes with figs image

On one side, place a spoonful of the filling and cover with the other half. Take both sides and crimp the dough with your finger so that they stick together. Alternatively, you can press the edges with a fork.

kolokotes with figs crimping edges image

Place in a baking tin lined with parchment paper and brush them with olive oil.

Kolokotes with figs before baking image

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180ο for 30 minutes or until they have a nice golden colour.

Kolokotes with figs baked image

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!

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shanthi

Tuesday 22nd of November 2011

Looks perfect and awesome. Would love to have it

christa

Wednesday 3rd of March 2010

hi we also make kolokotes but we use raisins instead of figs try them.

ivyliac

Wednesday 3rd of March 2010

Hi Christa, I also use raisins. This is a second post in which I made some twists on the traditional recipe.

natalia

Tuesday 4th of November 2008

Ciao Ivy I don't know where Piggy is from but she is the only one "allowed" to publish the recipe. Don't worry it will appear soon !

JennDZ_The LeftoverQueen

Saturday 1st of November 2008

These look great Ivy! Thanks again for a wonderful Joust entry and best of luck!!

Adam

Friday 31st of October 2008

Ivy, I love figs. I love pumpkin. Somehow, you managed to put the two together, and make these delicious little pies. These are great. I might use that filling for pierogies. That would be awesome.

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