Pasta flora is the name of the Greek jam tart. If you are a tart lover, then you should definitely try this one. For many people, this jam tart reminds them of their childhood. It happens that I am one of these people.
Pasta flora is a traditional Greek dessert that consists of a shortcrust pastry base filled with a layer of sweet jam or preserves, usually apricot or strawberry, and topped with a lattice of the same pastry. It's often served as a sweet snack with coffee or tea and can also be enjoyed as a dessert. The name "pasta flora" comes from the Italian word "pasta frolla" which means shortcrust pastry.
This pasta flora recipe requires the following ingredients: butter, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, cognac, and strawberry jam. Actually, you can use any jam flavor you cherish.
The number of calories in pasta flora can vary depending on the specific recipe and serving size. However, as a general estimate, a single serving of pasta flora (one slice or square, approximately 80-100g) contains around 300-400 calories. The majority of these calories come from the shortcrust pastry and the jam filling, both of which are high in sugar and carbohydrates. If you are trying to limit your calorie intake, it's best to enjoy pasta flora in moderation as an occasional treat rather than a regular indulgence.
The exact origin of pasta flora is unclear, but it is a traditional Greek dessert that has been enjoyed for many generations. It is believed to have its roots in ancient Greek cuisine, which was known for its use of honey and fruits in desserts. Over time, the recipe evolved to include a shortcrust pastry base and a layer of sweet jam or preserves, often made from apricots.
During the Ottoman occupation of Greece in the 15th century, many culinary influences from the Middle East and Asia Minor were introduced to Greek cuisine. It's possible that the filling of apricot jam or preserves in pasta flora may have been influenced by Turkish cuisine, which features many sweet jams and preserves made from fruits.
Today, pasta flora is a popular dessert in Greece and is enjoyed across the country. It's often served as a sweet snack with coffee or tea and is commonly enjoyed during holidays and special occasions, such as weddings and christenings. Although it is a traditional Greek dessert, variations of the recipe can be found in other Mediterranean countries and in the Middle East.
The preparation time for this pasta flora recipe is around 20 minutes and the baking time is around one hour.
Pasta Flora - Ingredients
- 225 g of butter
- 3 eggs
- 500 g of sugar
- 1 kg of flour
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 60 ml of cognac
- 900 g of strawberry jam
Pasta Flora - How to Make
- Start this pasta flora recipe by preheating the oven to 170°C.
- Beat the butter until it becomes soft and creamy.
- Add the eggs to the butter and beat until well blended, approximately for around 3 minutes.
- Add the sugar to the mixture and beat for 5 minutes at medium speed.
- Add the flour, baking powder, vanilla, and cognac and beat on medium speed.
- The mixture will be like a thick dough but should feel soft and should not stick to your hands.
- Place the mixture on a 13×9-inch pan. Save some of the dough to make lace strips on top.
- Spread dough on the bottom of the pan.
- Place the strawberry jam over the dough to cover it completely.
- From the remaining dough that was saved make long thin strips ¼-inch thick to fit the length of the pan, as far apart as you like, 3 or 4 strips long.
- Repeat the same on the width side of the pan, 5 or 6 strips long.
- Bake for pasta flora approximately 1 hour until brown on top, or when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Allow to cool down to room temperature before cutting the pasta flora into square serving pieces.