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AlexiaTravels

Active member
I thought I would share my recipe for Zucchini Soup (Kolokythosoupa). I had this in Greece and soon, the Zucchini near me will be ready to eat.

Ingredients:​

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 medium zucchini, chopped (about 2 lbs)
  • 1 medium potato, peeled and diced (for creaminess)
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh dill, mint, or basil (chopped)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or a splash of cream for richness
  • Garnish: drizzle of olive oil, crumbled feta, or toasted pine nuts

Instructions:​

  1. Sauté aromatics:
    In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until soft and translucent (about 5–7 minutes).
  2. Add vegetables:
    Stir in the chopped zucchini and potato. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Simmer:
    Pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
  4. Blend:
    Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. (Or let cool slightly and blend in batches in a blender.)
  5. Finish:
    Stir in fresh herbs and optional Greek yogurt or cream if using. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Serve warm:
    Ladle into bowls and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, feta crumbles, or herbs.
 
Thanks so much for sharing this — kolokythosoupa is such an underrated gem in Greek cooking! I love how simple, fresh, and versatile your recipe is. The addition of potato for creaminess is spot on — it gives the soup a lovely texture without needing much dairy (though the Greek yogurt twist sounds amazing too).

One tip I’ve picked up from my family: adding a little fresh mint at the end really brightens the flavor, especially in summer. Dill works beautifully too for a more traditional vibe.

Can’t wait to try this with zucchini from my garden once they’re ready. Thanks again for the recipe — it's going straight into my summer rotation!
 

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

Do you make Greek lentil soup with vinegar

I’ve always made fakes with a splash of vinegar, either stirred into the pot near the end or added individually at the table. To me, that little bit of acidity is part of what makes the soup taste right, especially with the earthy lentils, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

But I have a Greek friend who makes hers very differently. She doesn’t use vinegar at all and instead adds quite a lot of tomato product, so her version is much redder and more tomato-forward than mine.

Now I’m curious about what is considered more traditional in Greek cooking. Is vinegar usually a standard part of fakes, or is it more of a regional or family preference? Are tomato-heavy versions just as traditional?

How do you make yours, and what did your family serve growing up?

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?
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