Ikarian Longevity Greens Pancakes
Inspired by Ikaria, the Blue Zone of Greece, these greens-filled pancakes echo ancient Greek pies using wild greens, herbs, and extra virgin olive oil — a true longevity food.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3 cups bread flour or fine semolina
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin Greek olive oil
Filling:
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin Greek olive oil
- 2 red onions finely chopped
- 2 fennel bulbs finely chopped
- 2 cups spinach chopped
- 2 cups Swiss chard chopped
- ½ bunch fresh oregano minced
- ¾ lb mixed wild greens collards, sorrel, chervil, dandelion, chopped
- 1 large bunch mint leaves chopped (~1½ cups)
- Sea salt and pepper
- Olive oil for brushing dough
Instructions
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Prepare dough: combine flour, yeast, and salt. Add olive oil and warm water; knead until smooth. Let rise 30 min, covered.
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Heat olive oil, add fennel and onions; cook until soft. Add salt, then spinach, chard, and wild greens in batches. Wilt 5–10 min.
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Add oregano, mint, salt, and pepper; cook until liquid evaporates. Cool filling.
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Divide dough into 4 balls. Roll each into 12-inch circles. Fill one round with greens, top with another, seal edges. Repeat for second pancake.
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Cook on a cast-iron skillet brushed with olive oil over medium heat, flipping once golden. Cut and serve warm.
Notes
These Ikarian greens pancakes are a plant-based celebration of ancient Greek pies, blending foraged herbs, wild greens, and olive oil — staples of longevity diets.
Serve with Braised Chickpeas with Turmeric and Ginger and Carrot Salad with Ancient Greek Spices from the same episode.
Also see Ikarian Longevity Greens Pancakes and Spanakopita with Feta and Ouzo.
