It's All Greek (& delicious) to Me
Food is a very important aspect of a Greek’s life. If you know a Greek or have ever watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you’d know that they love to eat and are always pushing others around them to do the same. Whether it be a celebration or a normal weekday dinner, the Greeks prepare a great spread full of tasty Mediterranean fare. Here are a few things to keep your eye out for:
Dolmadakia - or dolmas, are grape leaves stuffed with finely chopped lemon rice and herbs such as parsley and mint. Depending where you are, you can find them with or without ground lamb and beef.
Spanakopita - as flaky, savory pastry usually filled with feta, spinach, onions and sprinkle of fresh seasoning.
Loukoumades - are golden puffs of fried dough the size of a munchkin, best served warm with tons of walnuts and honey. Sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor. Yum!
Choriatiki - a traditional Greek salad, sometimes referred to as a Village Salad. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, olives, feta - OVO and a little salt, pepper and oregano - so light and refreshing.. We’ve Americanized what we know as a Greek salad by adding lettuce to it .. it ain’t the same thing!
Gyros - (lets get this straight — pronounced YEE-ROWS, you are definitely a tourist when you ask for a “jigh-row”) Well cooked, seasoned meat, typically chicken, lamb, pork or beef, is roasted vertically and turning on a spit. It is sliced and placed in a pita with some salad fixings and topped with tzatziki sauce.
Pastitsio - a baked pasta dish with ground beef and a béchamel sauce usually served in a generous portion because, well the Greeks are great hosts!
Greek yoghurt - if you’re a Chobani fan, it’s in your best interest to try some fresh yoghurt here in Greece. Great way to start the day or a mid-day snack, it can be eaten alone or with some added honey or fruits for taste. Be aware, you will never look at your favorite store bought yogurt again.
Saganaki - usually served as an appetizer, a slab of fried cheese. I think anyone could enjoy this .. who doesn’t like cheese?
Feta Me Meli - an appetizer often mistaken for dessert because of how sweet it is. Fried feta cheese in phyllo dough topped with a drizzle of honey. So delicious - eat it whenever you want, no rules here when it comes to food!
Gemista - stuffed tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini or eggplant. Inside you can find rice and herbs, sometimes also lamb or beef.
Is your stomach rumbling yet? Mouth watering? You can go to Greece on an empty stomach but the local people will not let you leave hungry. As it was in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Maria Portokalos asked her soon to be son-in-law, Ian if he was hungry and he replied saying he already ate. She fired back with “okay, I make you something”. No one stays hungry here, the people just won’t allow it! The food is too yummy to not be enjoyed!
