Recipe

Greek Watermelon Pie

Refreshing Watermelon Delight: Greek Karpouzopita

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the flavors of Greece with this delightful recipe for Greek Watermelon Pie. Bursting with the freshness of watermelon and the richness of Greek cuisine, this dish is a perfect blend of sweet and savory.

Pie› Sweet Pie› Karpouzopita

European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Balkan cuisine› Greek cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

30-35 minutes

Total time

50-55 minutes

Yields

8 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Plant-based, Nut-free, Soy-free

Allergens

Wheat (in phyllo pastry), Dairy (in butter)

Not suitable for

Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Paleo, Keto

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.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2.
Cut the watermelon into small cubes and remove any seeds.
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.
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.
Spread the watermelon filling evenly over the layered phyllo pastry.
6.
Layer the remaining 5 sheets of phyllo pastry on top of the filling, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
7.
Trim any excess phyllo pastry from the edges of the pie.
8.
Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the phyllo pastry turns golden brown.
9.
Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
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.