Pasteli

Pasteli is a traditional sesame-based confection found in the Mediterranean, most closely associated with Greece and Cyprus. It is typically made from toasted sesame seeds bound with honey or sugar, resulting in a chewy to brittle bar. Variants may include nuts such as almonds or pistachios and, in some recipes, citrus zest or spices.

The standard preparation involves toasting the sesame seeds, warming the binding sweetener, and mixing the two until evenly coated. The warm mixture is then pressed into a flat sheet and allowed to cool and harden before it is cut into bars or diamond shapes. The texture can range from soft and chewy to crisp, depending on the ratio of seeds to sweetener and the cooling process.

Pasteli has long-standing cultural ties to Greek and Cypriot culinary traditions and is commonly sold in markets, bakeries, and tourist shops. It is often enjoyed as a snack with coffee or tea and is sometimes given as a simple, traditional gift during festivals and religious celebrations.

Nutrition and storage considerations note that pasteli is high in calories, primarily from sesame seeds and sugar or honey. It is naturally gluten-free when no additional ingredients containing gluten are added. For best quality, pasteli should be stored in a cool, dry place and kept in airtight packaging to prevent moisture from softening the bars. Related confections include sesame brittle and tilkut, a similar honey-sesame candy found in South Asia.