Elsewhere in Greece, these delicate fried pastry stripes are called "diples". In Mykonos we call them "xerotigana".
" Xerotigana " is like" Diples" only they don't contain eggs . Crispy , fried sweets in different shapes ( bows, as my grandmother used to make , and roses) dipped in honey syrup and sprinkled with walnuts, cinnamon and sesame seeds.
"Xerotigana" are a tradition on the island of Mykonos.
Served at special occasions such as weddings , baptisms and to welcome the new year. Sweets like xerotigana symbolically sweeten our path through life . Made from hand-rolled thin strips of dough, xerotigana look like pale gold ribbons curled on the table or even like bows ( depending on the shape you choose to give ) . "Xerotigana" are also the dessert of the day of Epiphany, which is prepared by the house-wives. By custom, children not only eat but also throw xerotigana on the house roof in order to sweeten the 'goblins' ( ancient Greek doctrine of demons) and run away with!
Hope you give it a try and enjoy this traditional sweet with honey!