Greek Food, Cooking and Recipe Community

Where can I buy the freshest ingredients and food in Greece?

1 - 8 of 8 Posts
B

blopez34

Active member
I’m an aspiring home chef and self proclaimed foodie and I'm looking to get my hands on the best ingredients for when I’m cooking at my airbnb in Greece. I have a feeling that local Greeks aren’t shopping at the supermarket all day. What are your tips for getting fresh and authentic ingredients in Greece?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joni T.
As a kid going to Greece every Summer, my Yiayia (grandmother) would take me to the Greek local farmers markets. From what I remember they used to happen every Saturday morning and everyone in the village would get together and sell their fresh crops. There were no Whole Foods supermarkets back then! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joni T.
blopez34 said:
I’m an aspiring home chef and self proclaimed foodie and I'm looking to get my hands on the best ingredients for when I’m cooking at my airbnb in Greece. I have a feeling that local Greeks aren’t shopping at the supermarket all day. What are your tips for getting fresh and authentic ingredients in Greece?
Click to expand...
If your airbnb is in Crete, you're all set. Every taverna we went to there seemed to serve vegetables picked that day. Fishing boats came in in the morning, and then restaurants and locals would buy and eat the fish of the day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: blopez34 and Worldwide Greeks Editor
Access to fresh, organic food in Greece is easy to find! Supermarkets are great for staples but the local laiki (farmers market) is the best place to go. Every area has one on a different day of the week so it's important to ask a local the when and where of their laiki.
They are a lot of fun to go to you will find fresh eggs, fruits, vegetables, seafood, clothes, housewares, baked goods and I have even seem some live chickens for sale :). Going to the Laiki is one of my favorite things to do when visiting family. Either way, you can't go wrong the food just tastes better in Greece!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: blopez34
Whenever I use to be in Greece I used to be at Greek food as I considered among the best and best on the planet. With an accentuation on heated as opposed to singed food, most customary dishes dodge expand sauces, favoring the aroma of spice flavors. Likely any place I'm I use to look for a new fixing at one my number one store Wegmans.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: blopez34
blopez34 said:
I’m an aspiring home chef and self proclaimed foodie and I'm looking to get my hands on the best ingredients for when I’m cooking at my airbnb in Greece. I have a feeling that local Greeks aren’t shopping at the supermarket all day. What are your tips for getting fresh and authentic ingredients in Greece?
Click to expand...
The best place is the local 'laiki' - i.e. the weekly street market and these exist in big towns all over Greece. In central Athens there's also the main market in Athinas street for meat and fish produce. The surrounding area is also wonderful for food shopping of all kinds - including for herbs and spices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: blopez34
Effrosyni Moschoudi said:
The best place is the local 'laiki' - i.e. the weekly street market and these exist in big towns all over Greece. In central Athens there's also the main market in Athinas street for meat and fish produce. The surrounding area is also wonderful for food shopping of all kinds - including for herbs and spices.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Do you know if the laiki is open every day?
 
blopez34 said:
Thank you! Do you know if the laiki is open every day?
Click to expand...
Depends! Each town or Athens suburb chooses a different day and they always are a once a week thing. Most of the time they take place on Fridays or Tuesdays, I believe. Just ask the locals :)
 
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Making traditional loukaniko question

I’m on a culinary quest to master the art of making Loukaniko, the traditional Greek sausage that tantalizes taste buds with its savory blend of spices and herbs. I understand that each region and even each family might have their own special recipe passed down through generations.

Which leads me to my ask - could anyone who’s familiar with Greek cuisine share insights about the most common seasonings used in Loukaniko? I'm especially interested in any mix of spices that gives it that characteristic flavor profile.

I’ve done some preliminary research, but I’m looking for that firsthand knowledge. What's the blend that makes your Loukaniko stand out? Are there any particular secrets to perfect the authentic taste?

Current food trends in Greece?

I understand that Greece is just like other countries where there might be food trends, new dishes, etc to enjoy.

I'm looking to understand more about the latest trends that are currently shaping it. I'm particularly interested in how traditional Greek recipes are being reimagined by modern chefs, how regional variations are gaining popularity, or if there's a rise in any particular ingredients or cooking methods.

Is anyone here keeping tabs on contemporary movements in Greek food? Maybe you've dined at a restaurant that surprised you with a modern twist on a Greek classic, or you've come across new food blogs with innovative recipes.

The cuisine of Greece is as much about the traditional recipes we all love as it is the trends and the way the cuisine moves forward!

Essential Greek Pantry Staples - Your Recommendations?

I've recently developed a keen interest in Greek cuisine and I'm on a mission to incorporate more of its flavors into my daily cooking. Given the vast knowledge pool here, I thought this would be the perfect place to ask about must-have Greek pantry staples.

From what I gather, olive oil, olives, and feta cheese seem like obvious essentials. But I'm curious about the less obvious, yet equally important ingredients that could elevate my dishes with authentic Greek flavors.

Are there specific herbs, spices, or any other pantry items that are staples in Greek cooking? Additionally, if there are brands or types of these ingredients that you swear by, I'd love to hear about those too.

greek-food-pantry-items.jpg

Learning about Greek food and wine pairing

I've recently developed a fascination with Greek wines and am eager to explore their potential pairings with various cuisines. Greek wines, with their rich history and unique grape varieties, offer a tantalizing range of flavors that I believe can complement a wide array of dishes beautifully. However, my experience in effectively pairing these wines is somewhat limited, and I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from those more familiar with this area.

Particularly, I'm interested in understanding which types of Greek wines (white, red, or rosé) pair best with specific dishes or cuisines. Here are a few specific questions I have in mind:
  1. Assyrtiko: Known for its crisp acidity and citrus notes, which dishes would best highlight Assyrtiko's characteristics?
  2. Agiorgitiko: Often described as smooth and velvety, what kinds of meals would complement this type of red wine?
  3. Xinomavro: With its robust tannins and complex flavor profile, what are the best food pairings to balance its intensity?
  4. Retsina: Given its unique pine resin flavor, are there particular foods that match well with this traditional wine?
Additionally, I'm curious if there are any general rules of thumb when it comes to pairing Greek wines with dishes from other culinary traditions outside of Greek cuisine.

Thank you!

What are the most famous Greek cheeses?

I've recently embarked on a culinary quest to explore the rich and diverse world of Greek cheeses. From the tangy feta found in traditional Greek salads to the sizzling delights of halloumi, Greece's cheese culture seems incredibly vast and flavorful. 🇬🇷

I'm reaching out to this knowledgeable community to ask: What are the most famous Greek cheeses that you've tried or heard of?

Are there any particular varieties that are a must-try or any hidden gems that rarely escape the borders of Greece? And if you have any delicious recipes or pairings to share, I'd love to hear about those too!
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

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