1 - 6 of 6 Posts

seleanor

Active member
Mandola is a very popular sweet in Kefalonia and it is one of the biggest exports from the island. This treat is made of almond, honey, sugar and egg whites. The dessert has a few different variations, but is usually gluten free! The ingredients are very simple which is why they are so allergen friendly. I was doing some research and apparently these cookies are originally from the Venetian occupation in Kefalonia.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Greek Vibe
Mandola is a very popular sweet in Kefalonia and it is one of the biggest exports from the island. This treat is made of almond, honey, sugar and egg whites. The dessert has a few different variations, but is usually gluten free! The ingredients are very simple which is why they are so allergen friendly. I was doing some research and apparently these cookies are originally from the Venetian occupation in Kefalonia.
Is this the Greek word for Marzipan? Sweet almond paste, right? That people bake with? The Greek versions are so delicious!
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Greek Vibe
This has been one of my favorite sweets over the years. Whenever family members go to Kefalonia, and when I go myself, I always make sure to get some. I would definitely try some if you are able!
 
  • Like
Reactions: acamp7
Is this the Greek word for Marzipan? Sweet almond paste, right? That people bake with? The Greek versions are so delicious!

Here's some more info about the desert, I've never heard of it or had it myself, it's just some info I found online
 
Mandola is a very popular sweet in Kefalonia and it is one of the biggest exports from the island. This treat is made of almond, honey, sugar and egg whites. The dessert has a few different variations, but is usually gluten free! The ingredients are very simple which is why they are so allergen friendly. I was doing some research and apparently these cookies are originally from the Venetian occupation in Kefalonia.
Indeed "mandorla" [akin to "mandola"] is the standard Italian word for "almond", from the Latin word which is from the classical Greek "amygdalE". A nice circulation of words! Even though the Greek colonization [8th century B.C.] took place in southern Italy, there was a town in Etruscan territory, near the later Venice, that the Romans found and called "amanda" [= to be loved], obviously by assimilating the name they heard to their own language: they must have heard "amygda-" [amunda-]. In the South, the second alpha turned into an omicron, as in the extant names of various places and persons: Amendolea, Amendolara, etc. // I love almonds and their products.
 
Indeed "mandorla" [akin to "mandola"] is the standard Italian word for "almond", from the Latin word which is from the classical Greek "amygdalE". A nice circulation of words! Even though the Greek colonization [8th century B.C.] took place in southern Italy, there was a town in Etruscan territory, near the later Venice, that the Romans found and called "amanda" [= to be loved], obviously by assimilating the name they heard to their own language: they must have heard "amygda-" [amunda-]. In the South, the second alpha turned into an omicron, as in the extant names of various places and persons: Amendolea, Amendolara, etc. // I love almonds and their products.
An extension rather than a reply.
I understand that the modern Greek word for Almond is Amygdalo; that is, the terminal letter of the classical word [eta] turned into an omicron rather than into a customary Doric alpha. So, the vowel shift must have taken place among the Ionians or the Athenians, probably in Byzantine times. //
The Italian word for Almond, namely Mandorla, was also used for a musical instrument in the 16th-17th century, since the front of the guitar-like instrument has the shape of an almond. It is the ancestor of the Mandolino/Mandolin [= Little Mandorla]. Its ancestor is disputed. One theory says that it was the Pandoura. This name is Greek, but apparently the instrument was played by the Akkadians [who took over Sumer in Mesopotania] in the 3rd millennium B.C. Anyway, Wikipedia shows the picture of a Tanagra statuette from about 200 B.C.: a young lady is playing a Pandoura, which has a polygonal rather than almond shape. [Tanagra was in Boeotia, north of Athens.]
Today's Bouzouki [MPoyzoyki] is a very long necked Mandorla which, they say, was introduced to Greece in 1900 from Anatolia -- exactly from where? From the former Ionia?It seems to me that the old name "Pandoura" referred to the long wooden neck/stem, rather than the body, of the instrument. [[Please add any information you may have.]]
By the way, the Akkadians assimilated the Sumerian culture and language. I have found already that this language, written in cuneiforms, was largely based on classical Greek, and so are Sanskrit, Etruscan, Anglo-Saxon, and Basque.
 
Last edited:

Information about caving at Melissani Cave

I'm thinking of visiting Melissani Cave over the summer when I am in Kefalonia. I thought I'd share some information I found about it:

Melissani Cave is a hidden gem of Kefalonia, a Greek island situated in the heart of the Ionian Sea. This naturally occurring underground wonder was discovered only in 1951 after an earthquake's destruction revealed its existence. The entrance of the cave is camouflaged by dense forest, which makes entering the cave feel like an adventure on its own. Once inside, the view of the water is nothing short of breathtaking.

Due to the wide gaps in the cave's ceiling, sunlight floods in, giving the illusion of an emerald turquoise color. Such stunning natural beauty is hard to come by, and the Melissani Cave is the perfect venue for adventurers who want to experience something different.

Melissani Cave is home to a network of underground waterways that lead to the beautiful Melissani Lake. The lake's crystal clear water is naturally heated and is perfect for a refreshing dip, but before you jump in, please heed the safety guidelines and adhere to the do's and don'ts. The atmosphere in the cave is wet and humid, contributing to the growth of exotic plants and animals. It's an excellent opportunity to see different kinds of wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for bats, snails, and eels.

The cave's interior is relatively spacious, so feel free to enjoy a leisurely stroll, savoring the beauty of the rock formations that have been formed over millions of years. This breath-taking scenery is the perfect background for some epic photos to share with your friends back home.

Immersing yourself in the cave's mystical ambiance is an experience like no other. We recommend that you go on a guided tour with experienced caving professionals who can provide you with interesting information about the cave's geological history, making your exploration more meaningful and memorable. The guided tour is equally safe and allows you to bask in the cave's ambiance thoroughly. Corrosion caves, such as the Melissani Cave, require a cautious approach to protect yourself and the cave's ecosystem. So, remember to go with a professional guide even if you have experience in caving/speleology.

Always wanted to see the turtles in Kefalonia...

I have a bucket list of going to Kefalonia while the turtles are on the beaches. I love turtles and this seems like a really beautiful thing.

I found this video that talks about them. It's not quite seeing them in person, but it was informative. Thought I'd share:

Did I Miss Turtle Season?

I have always wanted to see the turtles in Kefalonia. They come to the beach to lay eggs or something once a year or so, right? Did I miss it?

I Might have to wait until next year to do this. Does anyone have an advice?

I was originally planning to go n September, but I think if that is the case, I would have missed it?

What to do in Corfu for couples?

My partner and I are planning a romantic getaway to Corfu, Greece, and we're looking for some insider tips on the best experiences for couples. We've heard so much about Corfu's natural beauty and rich history, but we're hoping to tailor our itinerary to include activities that are especially romantic.

We're open to anything, whether it's relaxing on secluded beaches, exploring charming villages, enjoying candlelit dinners with stunning views, or embarking on adventurous excursions together. Ideally, we'd love to find a balance between leisurely, romantic moments and exciting adventures that we can share as a couple.

If you were us, what would you do while on the island?

Best way to get from Athens to Kefalonia?

I am booking my transportation for my trip to Kefalonia. I will have to fly into Athens, and I will be spending some time in Athens (haven't decided how long). From there, I would like t travel to Kefalonia. What is the best way? Should I just do the ferry? I also don't mind flying.

The one detail is that I ideally would like to leave from Kefalonia to go home to the United States. Should I plan on staying in Athens again? Logistically, I know this isn't ideal, to need to leave from Kefalonia for home, so maybe I should split my Athens trip up (about two weeks in Athens) to make it easier on myself?
Share and discuss your Kefalonia photos, questions and experiences!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top