Homemade Greek pastries from Huntsville's Greek Orthodox Church keep Thanksgiving international

 

 

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Greek word for Thanksgiving is “baklava” – or at least, it seems that way, to the dozens of Huntsville families who include home-baked Greek goodies on their Thanksgiving table each year thanks to the home bakers who are members and friends of Holy Cross-Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.


This year’s Greek Bake Sale will be held at the church’s parish hall at Holy Cross-Sts. Constantine and Helen Green Orthodox Church, 3021 University Drive in Huntsville, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Pre-orders are highly recommended, since the non-reserved food sells out very quickly.

The annual bake sale is a general fundraiser for the congregation to support both site expenses and also missions. It’s a sweet way to help good people and also to add an international flair to any family’s holiday board. Many of their items also freeze well to be used later.

Bakers this year will be preparing baklava, the angelically flaky pastry separating layers of a filling of ground pistachios and honey; thick, braided Greek bread; the twists of koulourakia, a kind of Greek shortbread flavored with vanilla and orange zest and perfect with coffee; kourambiedes, hand-shaped butter-cookie crescents flavored with toasted almonds and blessed with a snowstorm of powdered sugar -- and more.
The sale will also offer tyropitakia, little pockets of a blend of four cheeses tucked into filo dough triangles. The tyropitakia, which is also homemade will be sold frozen, as will the braided yeast bread.
The form for pre-ordering is posted at www.GreekBakeSale.net. Orders can also be called in to 256-534-4221. Payment for the pre-ordered batches should be complete by Nov. 8.