Patsavoura in Greek slang is a rag or swab used to wipe up floors – patsavouropita (rag pie) is a play on this word. The name alludes to the ‘raggy look’ of the many pie variations one can make with torn or scrunched up phyllo. Originally created by bakeries as a way of using up old scraps of phyllo, bakers would collect up all the bits and pieces of phyllo along their counters and turn them into sweet or savory pies.
This mildly sweet version is made a little prettier by turning each sheet of phyllo into a rosette, but feel free to simply scrunch up each sheet like an accordion instead for a more traditional presentation.