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nm1999

Active member
I am trying to understand Greek cooking on a different level than what I do now. Whenever looking up recipes, that is all it is to me - a recipe. I know that in Greece, there is a notion of seasonality that somehow gets lost when I read a cookbook.

So, it is approaching mid-May. The weather here is really starting to get good. In Greece, I am sure it is also lovely, but the growing seasons are different than what I experience.

What is in season now in Greece? I want to figure out how foods are prepared throughout the year in Greece, I think it will help me understand seasonality in general.
 
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I am trying to understand Greek cooking on a different level than what I do now. Whenever looking up recipes, that is all it is to me - a recipe. I know that in Greece, there is a notion of seasonality that somehow gets lost when I read a cookbook.

So, it is approaching mid-May. The weather here is really starting to get good. In Greece, I am sure it is also lovely, but the growing seasons are different than what I experience.

What is in season now in Greece? I want to figure out how foods are prepared throughout the year in Greece, I think it will help me understand seasonality in general.
Growing up in Greece in the 80s and early 90s. All the food we would eat would be seasonal. Even the fish and meat were somewhat seasonal as well. There was certain fish we would eat in the winter and other during the summer. Lamb and goat would be mor in abundance during spring and summer rather than winter.
Veggies and fruit was the same. We could not find tomatoes in December or January, we couldn’t find strawberries in in the dead of the winter.

So you can imaging that the home cook would make certain dishes at certain times of the year. Gemista was only done in the summer, as well as fasolakia (green beans). Fassolada and baked beans were eaten in the winter.

Fast forward to 2023, Greeks still eat seasonally, but most of the fruits and veggies can be found all year round, but tend to be more expensive. But even so Greeks still like eating seasonally.
Here is a list of fruits and veggies out in may.

Fruit : orange , grapefruit ,
Strawberry, Cherry , loquat, nectarine
Loquat

Veggies : dandelions, green beans, artichoke , asparagus , cucumber , eggplant , peas , squash , cabbage, amaranth, lettuce , beats , peppers, radishes , spinach , broccoli
 
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Growing up in Greece in the 80s and early 90s. All the food we would eat would be seasonal. Even the fish and meat were somewhat seasonal as well. There was certain fish we would eat in the winter and other during the summer. Lamb and goat would be mor in abundance during spring and summer rather than winter.
Veggies and fruit was the same. We could not find tomatoes in December or January, we couldn’t find strawberries in in the dead of the winter.

So you can imaging that the home cook would make certain dishes at certain times of the year. Gemista was only done in the summer, as well as fasolakia (green beans). Fassolada and baked beans were eaten in the winter.

Fast forward to 2023, Greeks still eat seasonally, but most of the fruits and veggies can be found all year round, but tend to be more expensive. But even so Greeks still like eating seasonally.
Here is a list of fruits and veggies out in may.

Fruit : orange , grapefruit ,
Strawberry, Cherry , loquat, nectarine
Loquat

Veggies : dandelions, green beans, artichoke , asparagus , cucumber , eggplant , peas , squash , cabbage, amaranth, lettuce , beats , peppers, radishes , spinach , broccoli

This is a great list of seasonal produce. I noticed a similar thing while visiting Greece. You can find certain things year round, but it depending where in Greece I was. Since the non-seasonal produce is so expensive, I have also found that most Greeks tend to eat seasonally.
 
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Most common seafood in Greece?

What is the most common seafood in Greece?

I recall having an abundance of delicious, fresh caught seafood but I can't remember the names of most of the fish. I had delicious octopus and that's the only thing I remember for sure.

I am going to Greece again - I thought I would try to figure what are some fish and other seafood, besides octopus, that I should look forward to?

I see octopus everywhere. I think I may have eaten fresh sardines at one point. Maybe some calamari and a different kind of lobster, too...

Greek Vegetable Casserole Recipe (Briam)

Now that it is lent, I will be making this a lot. I bring it to lenten potlucks at my church and I make it all the time at home. Here's a recipe I use - I do change up the vegetables sometimes depending on what I can find. I might omit eggplant, for example, and I would replace it with two additional zucchini.

Ingredients:​

  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
  • 2 eggplants, sliced
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 1 large red onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced or 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp oregano, dried
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Instructions:​

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a large baking dish.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: Slice the zucchinis, eggplants, potatoes, onions, and bell peppers into even pieces. If using fresh tomatoes, slice them as well; otherwise, have your can of diced tomatoes ready.
  3. Layer the vegetables in the dish: Start with a layer of potatoes at the bottom, followed by eggplants, zucchinis, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Sprinkle each layer with minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Repeat the layering process until all the vegetables are used.
  4. Season and oil: Once all the vegetables are layered, drizzle them with olive oil and add a final sprinkle of salt, pepper, and dried oregano. For a touch of freshness, add the chopped parsley over the top.
  5. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized on the edges.

Greek Lenten Foods?

Lent is coming up. I find myself planning for fasting... I tend to cut out meat and dairy, and then I obey a strict fast during Holy Week.

I would like recommendations on Greek lenten foods. I'm particularly interested in dishes that are traditionally consumed during this period, which abstain from meat and dairy products. I'd love to learn not just about the types of dishes but also a bit about the significance or history behind them if you happen to know.

Any recipes, cooking tips, or even restaurant suggestions where I can find authentic Greek lenten dishes would be greatly appreciated. I’m excited to broaden my culinary horizons and perhaps incorporate some of these traditions into my own practices.

Making Greek lemon potatoes?

I just had lemon potatoes at a restaurant and although I know how to cook Greek food, somehow I have never made this!

I took my best guess (I didn't look up a recipe) and it didn't taste great. Basically, I made a Ladolemono, drizzled it on the potatoes, and roasted them.

They never really got crispy - so my next thought is that I put too much of the ladolemono.

So the next time I made them, I put less of the ladolemono. I couldn't really taste the lemon.

Next, I am going to look up a recipe, but meanwhile I am curious what you guys do to make these.

How to make Koulouri - sesame bread rings?

When I went to Greece, one of my favorite snacks were the koulouri - or sesame bread rings.

I'm on a quest to recreate the delectable Greek Koulouri at home – those delightful sesame-crusted bread rings that are a staple street food in Greece. They are perfect for breakfast or as a snack any time of day, and I absolutely love their chewy texture and the rich taste that comes from being encrusted with toasted sesame seeds.

Is it a simple matter of taking any bread recipe and forming it into rings, and then putting sesame seeds on the rings? Or is it a bit more to it than that?
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