Dachtilies (Finger-Shaped Bread Rings)
2022, June, Theletra. I am in this beautiful village in the Paphos district. During the filming of the state television cooking show, I meet Mrs. Androula Tryfonos, a very sweet lady, 74 years old. She greets me warmly and shakes my hand with love. “I saw you, my child, and I remembered you said on your show that you want to learn how we shape the daisy-shaped bread ring (koulouri margarita)”. Yes, I said, I tell her, and I am surprised she remembered it. “You said you want to learn about the koumoulies too, or as you call them in the capital, the dachtilies (finger-shaped)”. Do you want me to show you, my child?”. And of course I want to. Her offer moves me. Just as the people who are willing to share the secrets of our tradition and culture with us move me every time. I am like a little child from my joy. She gets teary-eyed, she feels that this “teaching” is more than just a recipe. It is a tradition passed from one generation to the next and kept alive over time. I soak up her every word, her every move. And of course, while she is teaching me the recipe, I think to myself how I will be forever grateful to her…
