Better Butter in the Burgh at Baklava
Last weekend was a treat in itself for me. There are so many things I was able to see and do, but one of the sweetest treats I must post about was Baklava from The Baklava Company.
As we waltzed around the Pittsburgh Public Market on a busy Saturday morning in the Strip, I was delighted by the aroma from all the colorful food and vendors. I felt the warmth of the market at every booth, especially when we came upon The Baklava Company.
Two women were cutting and handing out samples of Baklava and I, of course, tried it. I had to be honest that my expectations were low because I never thought a baklava could top my fav in NC – Neomonde’s. Baklava’s creamy butter, gooey honey and light phyllo lingered with me as we walked all around the market and strip district.
It lingered on my mind longer after the sweetness left my tastebuds and I knew I had to go back to the market for more! To my surprise, I found owner Zefla Khalil more than excited to tell us all about her pastries when we got back to her booth!
Zefla recently created The Baklava Company by using family recipes and traditions that have served Pittsburgh for over 40 years at Khalil’s restaurant in Shadyside. Zefla had learned the art of making these amazing pastries by patiently observing her father for many years. The Baklava Company is currently operated out of The Pittsburgh Public Market in the Strip and Khalil’s (which boasts a vegetarian menu too).
Her authentic, traditional, and delicate pastries are made with a light rose, lemon and orange blossom water, a usual ingredient of baklava. The Baklava Company is like none other though because Zefla ensures that the highest quality ingredients are used to make the delightful pastries- from the rich and elegant European clarified butter she bastes onto EVERY layer of phyllo, to the nuts and fruits used in her 30+ different authentic varieties (hazelnut, almond, walnut, pistachio, cashew, pecan, dates, apricot, lemon, sweet cheese…the list goes on).
Zefla told me herself she uses 50 layers of phyllo in each pastry- 50 !!! There are 30 layers on the bottom, nuts or fruit combinations in the middle, and another layer of 20 on top! Each layer is carefully brushed with butter, making these Baklava stand high above any I have tried to date.
We enjoyed the Walnut Baklava (her signature pastry) and the Pistachio Baklava (2) and a Shredded Wheat Pistachio Baklava as well. If you’d like to enjoy your own, contact Zelfa at 724-759-9989!
What is your favorite sweet treat?
Have you ever tried Baklava?
