Description
Ingredients
Contains ground chickpea, known in Crete as "kouneno," which is the froth of the chickpea
Preparation Method
You might believe that "seven-kneaded" refers to bread kneaded seven times. The number seven carries a sense of mystery. My grandmother, when asked what she was doing, would say, "better not to ask, better not to know" to avoid the dough getting "cursed." However, it does not require kneading seven times. The real name is self-leavening bread, meaning bread that leavens itself through a chemical process, not by hand kneading. Over the years, the term self-leavening became known as seven-kneaded, and it is now recognized by this name all over Crete.
Taste
Delicious, fluffy, and aromatic rusks with a unique aroma that makes them special.
Nutritional Value
It does not contain yeast, sourdough, baking soda, or baking powder for rising. Instead, it uses microorganisms found in chickpeas to expand and fluff up.
Ways to enjoy
Seven-kneaded is a traditional Cretan rusk, usually made on special occasions because it requires particular techniques and knowledge. It is not something one would call easy to make!
