Greece
Sarah Rheinsmith
Agricultual Products
Olives
Are one of the most popular products used in food in Greece.
Tomatos
In Greece they tend to use fresh produce in their dishes.
Wheat
Wheat is the most produced product in Greece in the year 2013 and is used in multiple of the main dishes.
Native Customs or Beliefs
In Greece, those in the country often trade their goods and have done so since ancient greece. Also, when they go to restaurants the tip is included in the bill and it is improper to tip afterwards.
Holidays
Easter- The most celebrated in holiday in Greece. They celebrate with a whole roasted lamb, red-dyed eggs, tsoureki( sweet braided bread), magirista (Easter soup), kokoretsi (grilled tripe roll)
Ash Wednesday-The first day of Lent. Celebrated on the Christian calander. They celebrate with a picnic, unleavened bread, seafood and vegetables with olive oil.
Christmas-Turkey, Melomakara (honey cookies) and Kourabiedes (sugar cookies with almonds)
Native Dishes
Chicken Soup Avgolemono
Greek Egg-Lemon Chicken Soup. One of the most popular soups on the menu in Greece. The soup is often served as part of the first course throughout the meal. The soup is made of chicken and fresh herbs and produce.
Saganaki
Fried Greek Cheese served with lemon squeezed over the top. Originally the cheese is not lit on fire; however, some restaurants light the cheese on fire and serve it with peta bread as an appetizer.
Horiatiki Salata
Greek Salad. Many greek salads are sold around the world in a multide of different restaurants. However, the greek salad that originated from Greece does not contain lettuce at all. It has tomatos, cucmber, green peppers, feta cheese and oregano.
Souvlaki
A famous Greek entree. Marinated pork and an array of vegetables are grilled and doused with olive oil and served on skewers.
Baklava
The most widely known Greek desert world wide. Baklava is a sweet dish. IT is made with a combination of nuts, honey, sugar and butter and stuffed into phyllo dough and served.
Galaktoboureko
Custard filled Phyllo Pastry. One of the infamous Greek deserts. A sweet custard is filled between the phyllo dough and infused with lemon and orange citrus jucie.
Exotic Foods
Herbs and Spices
The Greek tend to use the basic herbs and spices in their cooking. The most common is salt and pepper; however, they also use rigani(oregano), used in many meat dishes and on baked vegetables.Thymari(thyme) is used in meat dishes and paired with olives for the best flavoring. Anitho(dill) is used in the flavoring of salads. Kumino(cumin) is used in spicy meatballs doused in tomato sauce. Kanela(cinnamon), is the most popular spice used in desserts and is often sprinkled over the top of the dish.