Tildi's Cookbook - Traditional Greek LAGANA: Sesame Flat Bread NO KNEADING r40

The custom of "Lagana" has remained unchanged in every Greek home for centuries.

Lagana is unleavened bread, i.e., bread without leaven, made with passion by the neighborhood bakers or the housewives of each house. "The sweetening of the poor," as Horace likens it, occupies the prime position at the Ash Monday table. This day takes its name from the ancient times when housewives used to clean their kitchens, washing all the utensils with hot water and ashes.

It was called "purification day." Also, all families chose to have the first meal of Lent outdoors, in the fresh air, eating simple fasting foods such as olives, tarama, halva, and, of course, the traditional Lagana.

Clean Monday marks the beginning of the forty days of fasting (Lent) before the Christian Easter.

Enjoy!