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auroracoor1

Active member
Whenever I’m in Greece, I end up eating a lot of gyros! They’re easy, inexpensive, and obviously delicious, so they’re one of my favorite things to grab for a quick meal.

It also seems like they’re genuinely very popular with locals. I’ve been to some gyro shops in Greece that are absolutely packed every time I walk by, whether it’s lunchtime, dinner, or even later at night. It made me wonder how often Greeks actually eat gyros in everyday life. Is it something people might have once a week, occasionally as a quick meal, or is it more of a treat?

I’m also curious about what kinds of gyros are most common in Greece. I usually see pork and chicken, but does this depend on the region? Are there particular gyro fillings or combinations that Greeks tend to order most often?
 
Gyros are definitely popular in Greece, but I don’t think most Greeks necessarily eat them constantly just because they’re readily available. They’re more like an easy, inexpensive option when you want something quick and filling. Some people might have them regularly, while others probably only order them once in a while. It really depends on the person and their routine.

Pork and chicken are probably the two versions you’ll see most often, with pork being especially traditional in many parts of Greece. The usual combination is meat, pita, tomato, onion, tzatziki, and often fries right inside the pita. Of course, every shop seems to have its own variations, and you can usually customize what goes into yours.

One thing I love about gyro shops in Greece is how normal they feel as part of everyday life. They’re not really treated as a special “Greek food” experience. They’re just an easy meal people genuinely enjoy.
 

What to do with garden zucchini?

Every summer, I seem to end up with more zucchini from the garden than I know what to do with! Of course, in Greek cooking there are plenty of good options, but I’m always looking for new ideas once I’ve made the usual favorites a few times.

I tend to use zucchini for kolokithokeftedes, briam, stuffed zucchini, and simple sautéed dishes with olive oil and herbs. I also like adding it to vegetable pies or roasting it alongside potatoes and other summer vegetables. Still, when the garden is producing zucchini constantly, it’s easy to run out of inspiration.

What does everyone else do with an abundance of garden zucchini? Are there traditional Greek recipes you make every summer, especially ones that use a lot at once?

I’d also love ideas for preserving or freezing zucchini in a way that works well for Greek dishes later in the year.

Vegetarian Pastitsio Options?

I’ve been thinking about making a vegetarian version of pastitsio, but I’m not sure what would work best in place of the traditional meat sauce. I’d still like it to taste rich and satisfying and keep some of the character of the original dish rather than turning it into a completely different casserole.

Has anyone here made vegetarian pastitsio before? I was thinking lentils might work well because they would give the sauce some substance, especially with tomato, onion, cinnamon, and the other usual seasonings. Mushrooms also seem like they could add a nice savory flavor, either on their own or mixed with lentils. I’ve even seen versions using eggplant or zucchini.

I’d definitely keep the pasta and béchamel the same. What filling have you had the most success with? I’d especially love ideas that still taste traditionally Greek rather than just being a generic vegetarian pasta bake.

Favorite Greek dishes from childhood?

What are some of your favorite Greek dishes from childhood? I always find it interesting how certain foods can bring back such specific memories of family, holidays, Sunday dinners, or time spent with grandparents.

For some people, it might be something comforting like avgolemono soup, pastitsio, or moussaka. For others, it could be something much simpler, like bread with feta, horta, fasolakia, or a particular pie that someone in the family always made.

I’d especially love to hear about dishes that were common in your household but maybe aren’t as well known outside your family or region of Greece. Were there foods you didn’t appreciate much as a child but love now? Or dishes you still make exactly the way your mother or grandmother did?

What Greek foods immediately take you back to childhood, and what memories do you associate with them? Are there any family recipes you’ve made sure to keep alive?

Do you put potatoes in your moussaka?

My family has never made moussaka with potatoes, so I always grew up thinking of it as layers of eggplant, meat sauce, and béchamel. Recently, though, I had moussaka at a restaurant that included a layer of potatoes, and I absolutely loved it.

The potatoes gave it a little more substance and seemed to soak up some of the flavors from the meat sauce. It made the whole dish feel even more comforting without taking away from the eggplant.

Now I’m curious about how common this is in Greece and in Greek families. Is adding potatoes considered traditional in certain regions, or is it simply one of those variations that depends on the household?

If you make moussaka at home, do you include potatoes? And if you do, do you use them along with eggplant or in place of some of it?

Favorite Greek dishes made with zucchini

Zucchini seems to show up in so many Greek dishes, especially during the summer when it’s plentiful and at its best. I’m curious what everyone’s favorite traditional Greek zucchini dishes are.

Kolokithokeftedes are probably one of the first things that come to mind for me. I love how the zucchini works with herbs, feta, and a little crispiness on the outside. I also enjoy zucchini in vegetable dishes like briam, and I know there are plenty of regional recipes that use it in different ways.

What Greek zucchini dishes do you make most often? Do you prefer zucchini fritters, stuffed zucchini, baked dishes, stews, pies, or something else entirely?

I’d especially love to hear about family recipes or regional dishes that aren’t as well known outside Greece. And if you grow zucchini yourself, what do you usually make when you suddenly have more than you know what to do with?
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