For many, Thanksgiving is a time for pies, but if Greek pastries are your dessert of choice you are in luck this weekend.
On Friday and Saturday, St. George Greek Orthodox Church will host a Holiday Bazaar with a variety of baklava and other baked goods as well as gyros and assorted vendors.
This is the second bazaar the church has held, timed as before for the pre-Thanksgiving period when the delicious taste of the treats from last month’s Greek Food Festival is still fresh in people’s minds.
The bazaar began as a suggestion from Mary Mekhel, who has overseen the festival’s baking efforts for more than 20 years.
“She just had this idea last year for buying pastries for the holidays,” said Irene Sinapole, who handles marketing for church events. “Groups of people just came in and out last year.”
Along with square and finger-cut baklava as well as pistachio and walnut varieties, other options will include galaktoboureko (a dessert made with filo dough, filled with a custard, and topped with honey syrup), milopita (cinnamon apple filling surrounded by a crispy filo shell and topped with a drizzle of apple syrup), melomakarona (honey walnut spiced cookie), kourabiedes (shortbread cookies covered in powdered sugar), koulourakia (lightly sweetened cookie twist) and tiramisu cupcakes (fluffy chocolate cake topped with a tiramisu cream cheese frosting).
Pricing will range between $30 to $60 for trays and $1 to $5 for individual treats.
Those who want to ensure their order can text Mekhel at 661-900-4298 for pickup at the event or early next week. She will take orders until Monday for Thanksgiving-ready treats, Sinapole said. After the holiday, she will be available up to Dec. 21 for Christmas orders.
Mekhel, will also take part in the vendors area, offering items from Greece. Other vendors will offer giftable wares such as holiday wreaths, handmade items, pot holders, quilts, natural soaps, body butter and shower steamers, stainless steel jewelry and rings for men and women, pet treats and items, gnomes, keychains and Scentsy products.
Beef gyros, made with buttered and toasted pita bread, topped with tomatoes, onions and homemade tzatziki sauce, will be sold for $10. Water and coffee will be available for $2 each.
