Walnut Pie with Raisins (Serbian Suva Pita Sa Orasmima)

Serbian walnut pie is a sweet dessert filled with ground walnuts is very similar to a baklava. Serbians believe that walnuts are an aphrodisiac so it is a common ingredient in Serbian desserts. Make this one ahead as it should be refrigerated for 24 hours before serving.

Suva Pita:
1 lb ground walnuts
4-8 oz raisins
8 oz sugar
4 oz oil
1 lb (14x16") phyllo pastry sheets

Glaze:
16 oz water
1 lb sugar
1 lemon with peel, thinly sliced

Mix together walnuts, raisins, and 8 oz sugar in a bowl.

In a deep dish place 1 sheet of phyllo dough and sprinkle with oil. Repeat two more layers like this.

Next phyllo; spread 3-5 Tbsp. of the walnut mixture, Layer the phyllo on top and sprinkle with oil. Repeat this two more times.

Add a layer with another 3-5 Tbsp. of walnut mixture.

Continue layering alternating the phyllo dough layers with oil and then the walnut layers until all the walnut mixture is gone.

Make sure the top has three phyllo sheets sprinkled generously with oil.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cut the phyllo into 1x2” rectangles.

Bake until golden brown around 30 minutes.

While the Suva Pita is baking. boil the water and add 1 lb of sugar until dissolved and the mixture starts to become sticky. Keep stirring during this process as it takes a while. When sticky, add the lemon slices.

Pour the warm mixture slowly over the baked Suva Pita.

Refrigerate for 24 hours.

Cut into small pieces before serving.

Makes 16.