GREECE
Mediterranean cuisine
About Greece
Greek Food
Dips such as tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber and garlic)
Greek Salad - a classic salad with tomato, olives and feta
Dolmades - stuffed vine leaves
Moussaka - layers of egglant, mince, tomato, onion and garlic, and potato
Grilled meats such as souvlaki - skewed meat wrapped in pita bread with tomato, onion and tzatziki
Fresh Fish - straight from the Mediterranean, grilled whole and drizzled with lemon and olive oil
Fetta and cheeses
Honey and baklava - Greeks love desserts like baklava with layers of flaky filo pastry, honey and ground nuts
Celebrations
Two of the most popular are:
Orthodox Easter
Easter is by far the biggest event of the year. Celebrated with processions, fireworks and spit-roast lambs. Eggs are dyed and cracked to symbolise christs resurrection from the dead. A week long event, ending on Easter Sunday were people merrily rejoice, eat and drink with their family until late at night.
Greek Independence Day
Celebrated on March 25th, is lavishly celebrated throughout the country with parades and marches to commemorate the liberation of the Greek people from the Turks, who occupied the land for more than 400 years. On this day Greek's enjoy a true National dish called 'Kleftiko', lamb seasoned with lots of oregano, lemon juice and wild greens, then wrapped in fig leaves and cooked at low heat for many hours.
Customs
- Lunch is generally eaten at about 2.00pm and dinner no earlier than 9.00pm.
- A meal is a social occasion and accordingly, food is ordered for the "table", not for the individuals.
- Table manners are pretty lax. Use of the fingers instead of forks and knives is very common.
- In Greece, people celebrate the “name day” of the saint that bears their name, as well as their own birthday.