A sweet treat that hasn't gained worldwide notoreity! Many countries around the world have some kind of sweet or savory something they are known for and some have more than one. This here is a submarine sweet, or as I referred to it as kid..."gook"!
While this flavor comes from the island of Chios, you can find many sweet and savory items throughout the country that have this flavor; so if you have been to Greece, it is likely you have come across something with Mastiha in it. Most likely, ice cream or chewing gum.
Mastiha is the resin that comes from a tree only found on the island of Chios. It's a distinct flavor differentiates it from other tree resins. Once cleaned, you can actually chew on the resin directly. It's been said it's good for your teeth. Note how in true form there is no sugar, so yes it's healthy. Once additives are encorporated, it becomes less healthy, but more tasty. The tree itself closely resembles a Bonzai tree, and I heard that at some point people have tried to remove and replant this tree elsewhere, but only in Chios does it produce the distinct flavor of resin. So, it must be in the sacred land of Chios where this come from. Now a days, it is used in many forms, from sweets, baked goods, savory dishes, soaps, candles, even toothpaste!
One of my favorite ways to enjoy this as a kid was having a spoon of Ypovrihio masticha, submarine sweet, or as I referred to it earlier "gook!" These days however, I don't enjoy it as often because it's just too sweet, and I honestly don't think my teeth can take much more. Probably explains all my cavities!! But you know, as a kid, you can feast on sugar all day long, and then crash at night. These days however, I'll have a craving every so often, so I keep a container in my cupboard. I should not forget to mention, that once the sweet is gone from the spoon, the best part is the drinking the sweet water. Mastiha water! And yes, that too is a thing now, but from what I know it is a bubbly drink and not sweet, just Mastiha with club soda or tonic water, in any case. not something my taste buds enjoy.
Well, the other day I searched for desserts originating from Chios. It's been ahwile since I have baked up anything Greek, and well this is what I want to share more of. I want to share with you and anyone that wants to try something new, the wonderful desserts and baked goods that Greece has to offer. That is when I happened upon Masourakia! Truth be told, I don't think I remember these from any of my trips to Chios. And, there are very few recipes available online for these; however reading the few and inquiring with my dad on it, I put the ingredients together and created. I read however that these are usually made and enjoyed for the winter holidays, so how about Christmas in July? I believe that is a thing, and so here I have for you a Christmas in July treat.....Masourakia!
These are syrupy phyllo filled sweets. They are filled with a mixture of Mastic Ypovrihio, blanched crushed almonds and a little whipped egg white. I would say the mixture quite honestly reminds me of marshmallows treats. Instead of cereal, there are nuts, and then the mixture is spooned onto buttered phyllo, wrapped and baked.
Then as it comes out of the oven it is dipped in a cooled honey syrup. I am sure one could make this with a standard vanilla Ypovrihio and it would be good as well; especially for those that don't quite enjoy the Mastiha flavor. It is after all and squired taste, and there are even Greeks that do not enjoy it.