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April 18, 2021 – Greece and its Food.

THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.


WHERE TO?                       TASTE.                        SEE.


Lamb meat roasting on an open fire.

Greece has incredible scenery. From snow-covered mountains to sunny beaches with palm trees.

There are (literally) thousands of years of history to discover. Structures from Ancient Greece, Macedonian, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman, and other cultures.

The Archeological museums throughout Greece could keep you busy longer than Odysseus’s travels.

But there is another must-do while you are in Greece.

You have to sample the Greek food. As much of, and as often as you can.

Baklava is a traditional dessert in at least ten different countries, including Greece.

Not the restaurants in busy tourist areas with the menu in seven languages and pictures of the food.

Not the American fast-food chains blotting the landscape like some new culinary phylloxera. Trust me, they are just as awful in Europe as back home.

You are in the birthplace of Western Civilization and the first place in Europe with a Mediterranian Diet.

The Greeks did it first. The Greeks did it…

 

Greek Food in General.

I have been in many Greek kitchens. From small rooms in apartments to large commercial kitchens. I have yet to see a recipe or a cookbook in any of them.

I suspect that every cook knows the three most important ingredients to a few hundred dishes. The rest comes out of their head.

No wonder bougatsa tastes “different” in Thessaloniki than it does in Athens.

Bougatsa is a Greek bakery product that may be sweet or savory.

So taking a traditional recipe like Moussaka. It starts with eggplant, meat sauce, and bechamel. From here, it deviates in any number of ways. Every chef in Greece has their recipe for Moussaka. And it is a variation of their mother’s. And hers is a revamping of her mothers. So just looking at Moussaka, you have about 36 million versions to sample.

We better get going.

Below, I present a list of some of the most traditional foods and varied tastes Greece has to offer. Is this list complete? hardly.

Do I always list THE way a dish should be prepared? I’m not that stupid to open that can of worms.

In Athens, you will find many dishes from all over Greece.

In Thessaloniki, the culinary capital of Greece, you will find dishes from other locations as well.

But the smaller towns will have their version of the traditional dishes, plus local specialties.

Kalí órexi! (kah-LEE OR-ex-ee) Kali (good) Orexi (appetite) ie: Bon Appetite.

 

 

Greek Food and Meze. – (meh-ZEH)

In general, these are small dishes, some are finger food. They often serve them with a glass of ouzo or raki.

Mezedes. – Small casual eateries where you can find meze.

Greek Beer, Feta Cheese, and Olives.
Keftethes (Greek meatballs)
Kolokythakia Tiganita Batter-Fried Zucchini.
Saganaki cheese gets its name from the pan they use.

 

Greek Pies.

You have to love a place that serves pies at breakfast, Cakes too.

Crispy puffy cheese pie Tiropita.
Spanakopita. Greek Spinach Pie.
Hortopita might have swiss chard and feta.
Dolmathakia is grape leaves with rice and seasonings inside.

 

Are these all the Greek appetizers? Hardly. There are more appetizers than there are Greek islands. These are the traditional ones you should find on almost any menu. You can make a meal just out of appetizers.

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Spreads. A taste Greece has made special.

Fava is definitely part of a Mediterranian diet.

 

Melitzanosalata (aubergine salad). Some blend it until it is a dip.

 

Skordalia is popular with fish. Do not mistake it for potatoes and take a big spoonful.

 

Tzatziki.

It is not unusual to find these dips acting as an appetizer early in the meal and then as a condiment with the entree. Try them both ways and see what you think.

 

Greek Food Entrees.

After stuffing yourself on meze, the entrees start hitting the table. Rather than retreat, you pick up your fork with enthusiasm, a crazy look on your face. One dish should be off a grill or spit. The most popular being local free-range lamb and pork, but try young goat if someone makes the offer.

Souvlaki.
Lamb chops with lemon and olive oil. Greece’s answer to finger-licking good.
Slow Cooker Greek Lamb Kleftiko is soo good.
Traditional greek beef patties.
Lamb gyros with tzatziki.

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Casserole-Like Entrees.

Layering ingredients goes back to the days of putting in whatever you could get your hands on.

Moussaka is layers of flavors.
Pastitsio replaces the eggplant with pasta—Greece’s version of lasagna.

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 Greek Food From the Sea.

With all the seas around, your dish will not be a “fish out of water” for very long before you eat it. Of course, there are too many choices to name here (and everyone has a different recipe for them.)

Fresh fish usually goes on the grill with a little olive oil. A healthy squirt of lemon waiting to dress it when it comes off the grill.

Other popular treats from the sea include Calamari (Squid) Octopus, Shrimp, Mackerel, and FRESH sardines. To taste Greece’s fresh seafood near the water is an experience.

 

Greek Food and Vegetables.

Greek stuffed Yemista tomato and green pepper.
Stuffed eggplants are addictive.
Lahanodolmades stuffed with minced meat and rice.
When they do Tiganites Patates correctly, they are like potato chips. You cannot eat just one.

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Mostly Vegetarian Food.

It is always wise to check on ingredients when following a strict diet or a food allergy.

A Greek Salad.
Fassolakia Lathera.
Horta Vrasta – Greek Boiled Leafy Greens.

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Greek Soups.

Look for these more in northern (mountainous) areas and during the cool months.

Fassolatha is a Greek White Bean Soup.

 

Rivithia Chickpea soup.

 

Avgolemono is a lemon drop soup.

 

Many people do not think of soup when talking about greek cuisine, but they do make it. Of course, it is more popular in cooler months and the mountainous areas.

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Greek Food and its Sweets.

Because they WILL show up, and you WILL eat them… Just “one” bite. Moreover, how can you taste Greece and not try one dessert?

Baklava is the national dessert of Greece.

 

Kataifi is a traditional Greek dessert with a unique texture.
Loukoumades hot out of the grease with a drizzle of honey.
Sweet Bougatsa with semolina custard for breakfast.
Galaktoboureko is one of my favorite Greek desserts.

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Other Greek Food Treats.

Not everything had phyllo or custard in it.

Spoon Sweet with Kumquat.
Greek yogurt with local honey.

Meli. – The Greek word for honey. Is it different than honey anywhere else? I don’t think so. But they use it in place of sugar in many more recipes than in other countries. With yogurt, in Baklava, well, probably in half the Greek desserts and bakery goods.

Greek food is definitely an attraction in Greece. You could easily spend a week and not have the same item twice.

Then there is the setting. By the sea, under a temple, or just a friendly neighborhood taverna.

And the people. Greece just gets hospitality.

Then there’s the Greek wine. That’s a whole different chapter. Order the local house wine and you should be fine.

For me, Greek food is always an experience.

Are you ready to try?

 

Read more about Greek Cuisine.

 

Please scroll down to the “Enter your comment here” section at the bottom. Please comment or tell me your thoughts on: 

“What is your favorite Greek dish? 

Help me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog below. – THANKS!

 

See the World” Continued on Page T3.           Taste the World” Continued on T11.

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