Greek Watermelon Pie

Ingredients

• 1 watermelon, seedless (about 4 cups (960ml) of watermelon flesh) 1 watermelon, seedless (about 4 cups (960ml) of watermelon flesh)
• 10 sheets of phyllo pastry 10 sheets of phyllo pastry
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
• 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 32g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Cut the watermelon into small cubes and remove any seeds.
3. 3.
   In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes, sugar, honey, lemon juice, mint, basil, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to ensure the watermelon is evenly coated.
4. 4.
   Place a sheet of phyllo pastry on a baking sheet and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process with 4 more sheets of phyllo pastry, layering them on top of each other.
5. 5.
   Spread the watermelon filling evenly over the layered phyllo pastry.
6. 6.
   Layer the remaining 5 sheets of phyllo pastry on top of the filling, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
7. 7.
   Trim any excess phyllo pastry from the edges of the pie.
8. 8.
   Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the phyllo pastry turns golden brown.
9. 9.
   Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
10. 10.
    Serve the Greek Watermelon Pie warm or at room temperature, and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Phyllo pastry — Handle the phyllo pastry gently to prevent it from tearing. Keep it covered with a damp cloth while working with it to prevent it from drying out.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense flavor, sprinkle some lemon zest over the watermelon filling before baking.
• Serve the pie with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of flavors.
• If you prefer a sweeter pie, you can increase the amount of sugar or honey in the filling.
• Make sure to let the pie cool slightly before cutting into it to allow the filling to set.

Serving advice

Serve the Greek Watermelon Pie as a refreshing dessert during summer gatherings or as a delightful treat to enjoy on a sunny afternoon. It pairs well with a cup of Greek coffee or a glass of iced tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the pie with fresh mint leaves and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Cut the pie into neat slices and serve on a decorative platter.