Lagana–Traditional Bread For Clean Monday

Lagana bread holds a special place in Greek culinary tradition, particularly during Clean Monday, the first day of Lent in the Orthodox Christian calendar. This flatbread's origins trace back to ancient Greece, where it was made from barley flour and served as a staple food.

Clean Monday, known as Kathara Deftera in Greek, marks the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and spiritual reflection leading up to Easter. Lagana bread became associated with this day as it provided a simple yet satisfying meal that adhered to the fasting guidelines, which prohibit the consumption of animal products, including dairy and eggs.

One notable feature of lagana bread is its texture, which is dense yet soft. It is traditionally baked without the use of yeast, resulting in a slightly crumbly consistency. Moreover, lagana bread is unique in that it is not sliced with a knife. Instead, it is torn by hand into irregular pieces, symbolizing humility and mindfulness during the fasting period.

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