flipSesame and Honey Itria, the Traveler's Snack
Sesame and Honey Itria, the Traveler's Snack
Why this dish? Sesame and honey formed a dense, energy-packed treat, ideal for those taking the road or the sea — the very domain that Poseidon governs. Slipped into the pouch of the sailor or pilgrim journeying to the god's sanctuaries (Sounion, the Isthmus), it stuck to the body without spoiling. A distant ancestor of the Greek pasteli still sold today.
Small crunchy bars of toasted sesame seeds set in honey caramel. Very sweet, toasty, nourishing — the travel snack that keeps and restores strength in the face of the sea.
You who skirt my shores toward my temples, take this with you. Toasted sesame, bound with hot honey, hardens into a golden stone that fears neither the salt nor the sun of my crossings. They pour it onto an oiled board, cut it before it sets completely. Eat a bite when the wind weakens and the oar grows heavy: strength will return to you, and you will remember to thank the Earth-Shaker.
- •Sesame seeds — in abundance (base)
- •Honey — generous (binder and sweetness)
- •Olive oil — a film (non-stick)
Sesame and Honey Itria, the Traveler's Snack
Small crunchy bars of toasted sesame seeds set in honey caramel. Very sweet, toasty, nourishing — the travel snack that keeps and restores strength in the face of the sea.
Why this dish? Sesame and honey formed a dense, energy-packed treat, ideal for those taking the road or the sea — the very domain that Poseidon governs. Slipped into the pouch of the sailor or pilgrim journeying to the god's sanctuaries (Sounion, the Isthmus), it stuck to the body without spoiling. A distant ancestor of the Greek pasteli still sold today.
You who skirt my shores toward my temples, take this with you. Toasted sesame, bound with hot honey, hardens into a golden stone that fears neither the salt nor the sun of my crossings. They pour it onto an oiled board, cut it before it sets completely. Eat a bite when the wind weakens and the oar grows heavy: strength will return to you, and you will remember to thank the Earth-Shaker.
Ingredients (period version)
- Sesame seeds — in abundance (base)
- Honey — generous (binder and sweetness)
- Olive oil — a film (non-stick)
Ingredients
- Sesame seeds — 200 g (base)
- Honey — 150 g (binder and sweetness)
- Olive oil — for oiling the surface (non-stick)
- Pinch of salt + orange zest (optional) — to taste (lift)
Method
- Dry-toast the sesame seeds in a pan until golden and nutty; set aside.
- Heat the honey in a saucepan until it thickens and bubbles (light caramel), 3 to 4 minutes.
- Off the heat, stir in the sesame (and salt/zest if using); mix quickly.
- Pour onto an oiled board or parchment paper, spread to 5 mm with an oiled spatula.
- Before it hardens completely, mark bars with a knife; let cool, then break apart.
How it was made : Sesame and honey cakes were known from the Archaic period — Herodotus mentions sesame-honey preparations, and these sweets (itria, sesamis) ended meals or accompanied festivals. Honey, once again, served as the only sweetening binder and natural preservative.
The contemporary twist : Poured into thin tiles and served to break at coffee time, as 'Isthmus Rock' with a pinch of fleur de sel.
Sources : Herodotus, Histories (sesame and honey cakes) · Andrew Dalby, Food in the Ancient World from A to Z, Routledge, 2003
Poseidon · Charactorium
