Go Back
–+ servings

Placenta Recipe

This sweet and savory ancient Greek and Roman placenta is a layered pastry dish made with hand-rolled dough, tangy feta cheese, and honey, baked between crisp sheets of tracta and a soft crust.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 1 day 8 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman
Servings 6 to 8

Equipment

  • 9-inch ceramic casserole dish with lid (or similar shallow pot)
  • Mortar and pestle (or spice grinder)

Ingredients
  

For the tracta:

  • ⅔ cup whole spelt or emmer
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Extra-virgin olive oil for oiling surface and brushing

For the filling:

  • 1¾ pounds feta cheese
  • ¾ cup honey, plus extra for coating

For the crust:

  • ¾ cup water
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 12 to 15 fresh bay leaves coated in extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the tracta base: Grind the spelt or emmer using a mortar until coarse. Place in a bowl, add 1 cup of water, cover, and soak for 24 hours.
  • Make the tracta dough: After soaking, combine the grain and remaining water with flour in a bowl to form dough. Add water a tablespoon at a time if needed. Knead until smooth, divide into four parts, rest 20 minutes. Roll into thin 8-inch discs, similar to tortillas. Dry on a baking sheet for 4–6 hours until leather-hard but not brittle.
  • Preheat the oven to 300°F.
  • Make the filling: Break feta into chunks, rinse in water to remove excess salt, then strain and press out liquid. Repeat up to 3 times for very salty cheese. In a clean bowl, press until smooth, add honey, and mix well.
  • Make the crust dough: Mix ¾ cup water with flour by hand. Knead for 5 minutes, form into a ball, rest 20 minutes. Roll out into a large, thin disc on an oiled surface.

Assemble and bake the placenta:

  • Line bottom of a 9-inch baking dish with oiled bay leaves.
  • Place rolled crust dough on top, allowing overhang.
  • Brush olive oil on one tracta sheet, place in center of crust.
  • Spread ⅓ of filling evenly.
  • Repeat with two more layers of tracta and filling.
  • Top with final tracta.
  • Fold crust over to encase.
  • Cover with lid and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake 10 more minutes.
  • Cool slightly, remove from dish, drizzle with honey, and serve warm.

Notes

  • If tractas become too brittle after drying, lightly moisten to prevent cracking.
  • Use a less salty feta or rinse thoroughly to balance the sweetness of the honey.
  • Ideal for culinary history projects, food heritage events, or exploring Mediterranean traditions.
Keyword ancient Greek baking, ancient Greek pastry recipe, ancient Mediterranean baking, feta honey pie, Greek placenta dish, historical dessert idea, how to make placenta dessert, layered cheese honey pastry, sweet feta pie, tracta pastry recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!