For the Sephardim of Rhodes Island the Rosh Hashanah table is unimaginable without our iconic savory pastries, desayuno.
Pumpkin or butternut filo-like coiled pastries, boyos de kalavasa are delectable, with a medley of Greek cheese and warming spices of cinnamon and cloves.
The distinctive coil or ‘rose’ shape, like the Turkish gül böreği, is said to have been symbolic of the ‘Island of Roses’, Isola de les Rose as the Italians called this beautiful island during their occupation from 1912.
Boyos, (also known as rodanchas) are traditionally offered at the New Year table with toasted chopped almonds in the filling and dusted with confectioner’s sugar and cinnamon to auger a sweet year.
If making this age-old recipe with yeast seems daunting, for a quick and easier version you can use store-bought filo.
These pastries make a fabulous light meal or offered as a meze with a drink.
I hope you enjoy your festive table. Kome kon gana – bon appetit!
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