The Grapevine: Progressive Women's Association to Hold Pita Piata Sale
By Rosalyn Queen on November 27, 2025 from The Grapevine
The ladies of the Progressive Women’s Association are getting ready to bake PitaPiatas to sale for Christmas. Although there are several organizations making them in the area, the ladies feel that these are some of the most originals that duplicate those made in Italy.
What makes these so special? The recipe is very old and is the recipe used by Lena Lenoch Garrett from Rosemont and one that was passed to,her from her Italian relatives. Mrs Garrett was my godmother and she passed the recipe to me when she taught me to make them when I was ten years old.
First I want to outline the ingredients in the dough. The dough should be flaky like pie dough. Eggs, crisco and butter help to achieve this flakiness. You should only use enough yeast to let them raise just a little. They become very hard to roll if too much yeast is used. The special ingredient in the dough is a sweet red wine.
Several days before preparing the Pitas, the filling should be prepared. Equal amounts of raisins and. Hopped nuts are used. Add sugar and cinnamon to the mixture then grate several cups,of orange peel and add to the mixture. Cover the ingredients and place in the refrigerator. They should set at least several days.
Now I am going to share the secret, The orange peel and the sweet wine give them that special taste. The final touch is the honey that is put on them immediately upon taking them from the oven. Do not cheat on the honey. Drizzle it starting from the center and moving to the outside. Do not cheat on the peel and the wine.
Seems like a lot of work….yes it is. That’s why you should be sure to purchase yours from the PWA. Each will be seated on a Fiesta plate and ready to gift. The cost is still $10.00. We are making a limited number so be sure to get your request in. Call 304 624 6881 and place your order.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Surely we all took the time to be thankful for something in our lives. Although this has been a sorrowful time for me, I have found much to be thankful for. I ask you to join me in looking for all those good things in our lives. That makes us most thankful.
A special Happy Birthday to Payton Jarvis, Michael Queen. Hunter Queen, Holli Jarvis and Miranda Lang.
Take care and get No ready to have a happy holiday season and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
Pictured are the unique pitas made by the PWA with one of the true recipes from San Giovanni. Each sold on a Fiesta Plate.
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