What do food, geometry, and the Mediterranean have to do with each other? On Thursday, March 14 we have an opportunity to explore that very question. March 14 is known as Pi Day because its short version (3/14) is equivalent to the mathematical term pi (the Greek letter π), which describes the ratio of the diameter of a circle to its circumference. 

Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians understood the concept of pi by about 2000 B.C.E. In the third century B.C.E., Archimedes and other ancient Greek mathematicians are credited with improving on the calculations of π. And pie--that culinary chameleon that satisfies the palate equally well as a savory dish and as a sweet treat--also originated in the same region, appearing in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman kitchens. Our contemporary world owes a lot to the Mediterranean region, which historically served as an incubator for advances in math and science, as well as culinary and cultural innovations.

Study results published on February 25 in the New England Journal of Medicine poetically demonstrate the continuing intersection of math, science, food, and heritage in the Mediterranean region. The study shows that the Mediterranean Diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke by as much as 30%. The clinical trial followed nearly 7,500 people at high risk for cardiovascular disease in Spain. Researchers divided participants into three groups: one group consumed a Mediterranean Diet with added olive oil; a second group consumed a Mediterranean Diet with extra nuts; and a third group, intended to consume a low-fat diet, actually ended up consuming a "typical western diet." After about five years, the two Med Diet groups had 30% fewer incidents of heart attack and stroke than the group eating the "typical Western diet." The study also supports what other research has indicated: the Mediterranean Diet--rich in vegetables and fruits, beans and other legumes, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and seafood--is not only healthful, but is a delicious and easy-to-maintain eating pattern.

Bring the Mediterranean Diet into your own home this Pi Day with a Mediterranean-inspired pie dish. Start with an olive oil pie crust, pizza dough, or phyllo dough. Experiment with different combinations of vegetables, cheeses, meats, and fruits for fillings. Create deep-dish, single-crust, hand, or pizza pies. Try the recipes below to get your family excited about Mediterranean cuisine AND math.