A traditional sweet.
Name - Origin
A type of large poureki with cream. It looks like bougatsa (Kypri - Protopapa 2003, 259). A sweet with a halva filling. S̆ámis̆i are fried and sprinkled with icing sugar (Petrou-Poeitou 2013, entry Σάμισι, 130).
ETYM. < Arabic şamishi [şam = Damascus, ishi = product]. Something that was produced in Damascus (Petrou-Poeitou 2013, entry Σάμισι, 130) < Turkish samsa (persian samosa sambūsa) (Yangoullis 2009, entry σ̆άμισ̆η, 413; Petrou-Poeitou 2013, entry Σάμισι, 130)
The creamy filling was prepared by mixing semolina, sugar, rose water, crushed mastic and water (Kypri - Protopapa 2003, 259).
** Find the recipe for s̆amis̆i in the Traditional Recipes section.
Functional and symbolic role
S̆amishi are large, square-shaped pourekia, fried in oil (Kypri - Protopapa 2003, 259).
They are served along with loukoumades in traditonal feasts (Yangoullis 2009, entry σ̆άμισ̆η, 413).
Additional information and bibliography
Yangoullis K. G. (2009), Θησαυρός Κυπριακής Διαλέκτου. Ερμηνευτικό, Ετυμολογικό, Φρασεολογικό και Ονοματολογικό Λεξικό της Μεσαιωνικής και Νεότερης Κυπριακής Διαλέκτου, Βιβλιοθήκη Κυπρίων Λαϊκών Ποιητών, Theopress Publications, Nicosia.
Kypri Th. - Protopapa K. A. (2003), Παραδοσιακά ζυμώματα της Κύπρου. Publications of the Centre for Scientific Research, XVIII, Nicosia.
Petrou-Poeitou E. (2013), Από πού κρατάει η σκούφια τους. Λέξεις και ιστορίες από τον κόσμο της γεύσης, Epiphaniou Publications, Nicosia.
Demetra Demetriou, Argyro Xenophontos, Tonia Ioakim
Traditional Recipes
Halouvás with carob syrup
The halouva mixture consists of toasted flour, sesame and carob syrup. It is formed into round balls. The recipe comes from Drynia, Paphos district.
Traditional Recipes
Halouvás with rose cordial
The addition of rose cordial gives the halva a special aroma and a warm, red colour. The recipe comes from the occupied Yialousa.