Rolled Baklava with Golden Raisins

Baklava, found in all eastern Mediterranean countries, is probably a refined version of what Aristophanes described in his comedies: baked pastry filled with nuts.

In this more than in any other sweets with phyllo pastry, it is important to use the right kind of pastry—not the very thin kind. Strudel pastry works better, and homemade phyllo is best. Since the filling of Baklava contains nothing more than nuts—and golden raisins, in this recipe—if you use commercial thin phyllo, you