Savory Pitas and Pies

The pites (plural of pita, meaning “closed pie”) of the islands are diverse and wonderful, the kind of convenient seasonal food that only resourceful cooks with limited ingredients could invent. Wheat flour, water and olive oil are the main ingredients of the basic crusts. Enclosed between the two thin layers of pastry, you’ll find homemade cheese, greens and herbs gathered from the hills, zucchini, eggplant or other vegetables from the garden or perhaps some meat that wouldn’t be enough to feed the family on its own, mixed with some rice, or even octopus or other seafood.