Koufeto of Milos

Koufeto means sugarplum.

The koufeto of Milos is a traditional sweet, a spoon sweet, with pumpkin, sugar, honey, almonds and lemon juice. On the island of Milos, the mother of the bride offers it as a treat at weddings and engagements. Honey symbolizes the sweet life of the couple, while almonds symbolize fertility.

It is given out on Milos on joyful occasions at all times of the year, as well as a way to welcome visitors. In tavernas, it is offered as a dessert along with yogurt. No visitor to the island leaves without taking along at least one jar of this sweet as a souvenir. At weddings, this sweet is put in small bowls and offered to the guests. A similar kind of koufeto is made on the island of Santorini, except that the pumpkin is cut intο cubes, while in Milos it is sliced into sticks.