Rooted in ancient history and influenced by neighboring cultures, it incorporates fresh ingredients, simple preparations, and aromatic herbs. Here’s a rundown of some typical foods of Greece:
- Moussaka: Layered casserole dish made from eggplants, minced meat (usually lamb or beef), potatoes, and béchamel sauce. It’s baked to perfection and is one of Greece’s most iconic dishes.
- Souvlaki: Skewered and grilled meat, often served with pita bread, tomatoes, onions, and a yogurt-based sauce called tzatziki.
- Spanakopita: Spinach pie made from layers of phyllo pastry, filled with a mixture of spinach, feta cheese, onions, and seasonings.
- Dolmades: Grape leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice and herbs, sometimes with minced meat. They are often served with a lemony sauce.
- Tzatziki: A refreshing yogurt-based dip made with cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and dill or mint. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats and bread.
- Fasolada: A white bean soup, often regarded as the national dish of Greece. It’s a hearty mixture of beans, tomatoes, celery, and olive oil.
- Gyros: Rotisserie-grilled meat (usually pork, chicken, or beef), sliced and served in pita bread with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce.
- Pastitsio: A baked pasta dish with layers of pasta, minced meat, tomato sauce, and béchamel sauce.
- Saganaki: Fried cheese, named after the frying pan in which it’s prepared. The cheese used is often kefalograviera, kasseri, or haloumi.
- Horiatiki: Commonly known as the Greek salad, it consists of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onions, and feta cheese, seasoned with olive oil, oregano, and salt.
- Koulourakia: Twist-shaped cookies often flavored with vanilla and sesame seeds, typically enjoyed during Easter.
- Baklava: A sweet dessert made of layers of phyllo pastry, filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.
- Loukoumades: Deep-fried dough balls soaked in sweet syrup and often sprinkled with cinnamon and chopped nuts.
- Retsina: A traditional white or rosé resinated wine, known for its unique pine flavor, resulting from the practice of sealing wine vessels with pine resin.
- Olives and Olive Oil: Widely used in Greek cooking, olives and their oil are staples in salads, bread, and main dishes. The quality of Greek olive oil is revered worldwide.
The Greek culinary landscape is diverse, and these dishes represent just a glimpse of it. Whether indulging in a meze platter at a local taverna or sipping ouzo by the seaside, Greek food promises a flavorful journey through centuries of tradition and culinary craftsmanship.
Image by stockking on Freepik
After a good meal, you need to have some activity. Zakynthos offers countless beaches where you can swim, we have selected the best ones for you.
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