Greek Carrot Breadsticks with Sesame Seeds

Whenever I am in Greece, a visit to my neighborhood bakery is part of my daily routine.  It is a habit that I miss so much when I am away from Greece, as neighborhood bakeries, at least here in northern Virginia, are increasingly a thing of the past.  Like in most Mediterranean cultures, Greeks do their shopping for small amounts of fresh vegetables, fruit, and fresh bread every day.  It is part of the rhythm of life.

The Greek Bakery

It is easy to find these small, neighborhood bakeries by following your nose.  The aroma of freshly baked goodies permeates the air and entices you to come inside.  Besides still-warm and fragrant breads, these bakeries carry all sorts of other treats as well; from a vast variety of delectable cheese pies made with homemade filo, to tiny, delicious biscotti to accompany your coffee, to of course, these iconic breadsticks piled high in rustic woven baskets!

How are Greek breadsticks different than the Italian Grissini?

Greek breadsticks, called kritsinia, are slightly thicker and heartier than the Italian grissini, and they are usually eaten as a snack or between meals, not with the meal as might be the case in Italy.  There are great varieties of kritsinia, made with different flours, with different add-ins (some have olives, nuts or seeds in the mix), and they are always dairy free . They are considered a healthy snack that kids and adults adore!

Greek Carrot breadsticks

To make these Greek carrot breadsticks you only need a handful of ingredients; mostly flour, olive oil, grated carrots, and a little white wine.  Over the years, I have slightly tweaked my simple recipe to include some corn flour (for texture) and a little turmeric (for added color).  The sesame seeds can be omitted if you like.  If you have kids around, make sure to ask them to help – rolling out the dough into ropes is lots of fun!  This recipe makes a lot of breadsticks (about 40), but they are so delicious and so healthy that they will disappear quickly.  If not, they will keep fresh for a long time!

How to make them

5.0 from 2 reviews

Greek Carrot Breadsticks with Sesame Seeds

 

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Prep time

25 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

50 mins

 

A very popular Greek snack, dairy free and with a long self life!

Author: Marilena Leavitt

Recipe type: Appetizer, Bread, Snack

Cuisine: Greek

Serves: 40

Ingredients

• 3 cups AP flour
• ¾ cups corn meal
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½-1 tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. ground turmeric (optional)
• 2 large carrots, grated, about 7 oz.
• ½ cup white wine
• 1 cup olive oil (or, ½ cup olive oil + ½ cup sunflower oil)
• ¼ cup sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the flours, baking powder, salt, paprika and turmeric to the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk until incorporated.
2. Peel and grate the carrots and add them to the dry ingredients. Stir to distribute evenly.
3. Add the wine, olive oil and sunflower oil to the dry ingredients. Using a dough hook, mix all the ingredients on low speed until the mixture comes together to form a ball. Cover the dough and let it rest for 15 minutes. The dough should feel lightly oily and be very easy to handle.
4. Preheat the oven to 360°F.
5. Divide the dough into quarters. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on a baking sheet and set it aside.
6. Working with one of the four quarters of dough at a time, take a small piece of dough, about the size of a walnut, and roll it on a clean surface to form a rope about 10” long. Once each quarter of the dough is rolled into about 10 ropes, pick up each one and re-roll it gently on the sheet pan with the sesame seeds.
7. Place the sticks on two parchment paper-lined sheet pans and bake for 25 minutes, or, until the bottoms of the breadsticks are lightly brown. Move to a rack and let them cool!

Notes

-- To grate the carrots, I use the shredding blade of a food processor which creates longer pieces, but you can also use a box grater.
-- If you can't find corn meal, use AP flour (cornstarch is not a substitute)
-- Most times I use a mixture of extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil for a lighter texture.
-- Store uncovered, at room temperature for up tp five days.

3.5.3240

Two more favorite recipes you might like: 

Thin and Crispy Italian Grissini with Sesame Seeds

Greek Bread Rings

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