those elusive locomotives

Loukoumades are one of those fabled foods that are almost-almost-more fun talk about than to actually eat. Callimachus mentions them in "The Vigil", noting that these "charisoi" (meaning "tokens" or "little gifts"), were given to the winners of the night festivals in the games, who were "delighted to get them". Commonly called "honey balls", or in this family "locomotives", this olive oil fried treat- not quite a doughnut, just a heartbeat away from being a very light frittter- was at one time ubiquitous in tourist areas as a favored late night snack, perhaps with a little metaxa or coffee. But in recent years, perhaps because of the labor involved, or maybe it was the cost of good olive oil, or just the spread of numerous ice cream and dessert cafes, good loukoumades can be difficult to find. Good luck trying to find the real thing in Skiathos! It is so alluring to see the fryer with the illustrated sign in the Taverna Nea Kosmo, yet somehow they just never seem to be frying anything. Then there was the crepe craze came and that lured many would-be-loukoumades patrons away to the creperies. There is nothing worse than BAD loukoumades, especially if they are fried in oil that is not quite fresh! So, at least as far as I know, great loukoumades remain elusive on the island.

The last time we were in Volos there was a sign on the waterfront advertising a new loukoumades stand. Aha! Our intentions were good. But when in Volos it is necessary to go with the unique the flow of life in that city, as I will describe in a later post. We never did get to sample the loukoumades in Volos. Maybe next time.

Taki and I once made exquisite loukoumades at home, for guests at a dinner party. My friend Diana, from Crete, mixed the batter, letting it rise while we drank, talked and ate dinner. Working together made it very festive, even the frying was fun. But here's the thing- it took more than a quart of olive oil to fry them! Which leaves me wondering if maybe if some vendors are cutting the olive oil...hmmm

Here is the recipe, try them yourself!
Loukoumades
Ingredients:
1 package dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 tsp. sugar, a pinch of salt
1 cup warm water
Topping:
2 cups good quality honey
1 cup water
cinnamon
Process:
Dissolve yeast in water. Mix dry ingredients, add water and yeast mixture, mix well.
Let rise 2-3 hours. heat oil to 375 degrees F. Using two spoons. using one to push dough, drop by teaspoonfulls into hot oil, fry about 4 minutes, or until golden. Remove with slotted spoon and to wire basket (I use salad basket)to shake off excess oil. Heat honey and water in saucepan and quickly dip each token, then stack on platter. Sprinkle with cinnamon, if you wish.