Pastiera (Italian Easter Pie)

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Pastiera is an iconic Italian Easter dessert. A buttery pie crust is filled with a creamy, not-to-sweet filling made with cooked wheat berry grains, sheep's milk ricotta, lemon zest, and candied fruit.

Submitted by Nesrine

Updated on February 22, 2024

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

1 hr 10 mins

Additional Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs

Servings:

8

Yield:

1 (9-inch) pie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 ⅛ cups cooked wheat berries
¾ cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium lemons, zested, divided
1 (14.1 ounce) package double-crust pie pastry, thawed
1 (15-ounce) container sheep's milk ricotta cheese
1 ¾ cups white sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons orange flower water, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 ounces candied orange peel, diced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Directions

Combine cooked wheat berries, milk, butter, and zest of 1 lemon in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until creamy, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease an 11-inch springform pan or aluminum pan and line with one of the pastry crusts.
Combine ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, 1 tablespoon orange flower water, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor; mix until smooth. Mix in remaining lemon zest and orange peel. Fold in wheat berry mixture and pour over the bottom crust.
Roll out remaining pastry crust and cut into 1/2-inch wide strips. Place on top of the pie in a lattice pattern and brush with beaten egg.
Bake in the preheated oven until filling is cooked through and top is lightly browned, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack. Cool for about 30 minutes.
Remove pie carefully from the pan and place on a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Cook’s Note

You can order cooked wheat grain online (such as Fratelli D'Amico) or find it in Italian supermarkets.

You can also use citrus peel instead of orange peel.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

711	Calories
27g	Fat
105g	Carbs
17g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 711
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27g	35%
Saturated Fat 10g	49%
Cholesterol 147mg	49%
Sodium 359mg	16%
Total Carbohydrate 105g	38%
Dietary Fiber 7g	23%
Total Sugars 46g
Protein 17g	33%
Vitamin C 22mg	24%
Calcium 221mg	17%
Iron 3mg	17%
Potassium 304mg	6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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