Recipes

Layered Pumpkin and Cheese Gratin Squares (Boureki)

  • Serves

    serves 4-6

  • Cook

    1 hour 15 minutes

DIMITRIS ALVANOS

In Crete, boureki is a rich, layered dish typically consisting of potatoes and squash, often topped with a generous amount of cheese before baking. Boureki may be eaten at room temperature, but it is especially irresistible when the cheese is still warm.

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What You Will Need

Ingredients

  • 4 12 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 sugar pumpkins or small butternut squash (1¼ lb.), peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. all-purpose flour
  • 14 cup finely chopped fresh mint
  • 2 lb. mizithra cheese (4 cups), or substitute 10 oz. sheep’s milk feta and 12 oz. sheep’s milk ricotta, blended in a food processor and drained overnight in a fine strainer
  • 34 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375° and set a rack in the center. In a large bowl, add the vegetables, salt, and pepper. Add the flour and mix well.

Step 2

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread the vegetables in an even layer. Sprinkle the mint on top, followed by the cheese. Drizzle with the olive oil.

Step 3

Bake until browned on top and the vegetables are very tender when poked with a knife, 40–45 minutes. Serve immediately or let cool to room temperature and cut into squares.

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