Save the date for a weekend of traditional Greek food, music, and dance at the 95th annual Grecian Festival at the Assumption Greek Church, 97 Walcott St., Pawtucket.
The 95th annual festival begins Friday, Aug. 19, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 21, indoors and out and with appropriate COVID-19 guidance. All the details are at greekfestivalRI.com.
The hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
With a tradition for serving Greek Food to thousands of attendees, the community joined together with strict guidelines for all the cooking and baking. The dishes are all made with family recipes.
Food served on church grounds will include roasted lamb, pork souvlaki and chicken souvlaki dinners, pastichio, moussaka, spanakopita, and more. The pastry booth has homemade desserts such as baklava, rice pudding, almond rolls, baklava cheesecake and more.
You can visit the Kafenio (café) for traditional hot and cold Greek coffees, and bar serving Greek beer, wines, and spirits.
There will also be music, dance, vendors, and Greek “Philoxenia” hospitality. Admission is free.
There is free parking with shuttle service across from Pawtucket City Hall
Here's a recipe shared 20 years ago by the baking team for the Grecian Festival in Pawtucket.
5 eggs, plus 1 extra for glaze
In electric mixer, beat butter until light. Add sugar and beat 10 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, until mixed well. Beat in vanilla.
In large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add creamed mixture to this, blending just enough to form a soft dough. Add more flour with hands until dough is soft but not sticky and able to be handled.
Cover dough with a damp towel and let sit for about 15 minutes.
To make cookies, take a small amount of dough and roll into a narrow log about ½-inch wide and 6-inches long. Shape into twists
Place twists on greased cookie sheet, brush with beaten remaining egg. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes until golden.
Store when cooled in tightly covered container.
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