Greece is a land made of millennial history, natural wonders, charming beaches, crystal-clear waters and…excellent food! In fact, this cuisine is one of the most appreciated in the entire world and typical Greek restaurants are found behind every corner. However, there is nothing like eating a warm pita gyros in the country where it was invented! Meat, cheese and vegetables are the main ingredients that transform each dish into the succulent discovery of ancient local traditions. This cuisine is simple, but still surprisingly flavourful.
Are you ready to discover some new fantastic flavours? Here are the best 6 traditional dishes you need to taste at all costs during your holiday in Greece!
1- Baklava
This dessert made using phyllo pasta presents itself as small pastries made of honey and dried fruit. It is perfect for breakfast, as it makes you start the day in a very sugary way!
2- Moussaka
It looks like an Italian "Parmigiana", but it is one of Greece's iconic dishes. This is a flan made of aubergines, potatoes, minced meat, bechamel sauce and cheese. Its incredible flavour is imitated by many, that often fail to reproduce its rich taste. Don't miss it!
3- Kolokythokeftedes
Despite its complicated name, this dish is made of few, simple ingredients. Kolokythokeftedes are meatballs composed by feta cheese, zucchini, parsley, mint and dill, which are fried to get a crunchy consistency. They can be perfectly accompanied by some tzatziki sauce for an entrée or a main course of a light lunch.
4- Greek salad
Another idea for a light summer lunch is a fresh Greek salad, one of the most popular salad varieties. Red tomatoes, green pepperoni, black olives, slices of cucumber and plenty of delicious feta cheese are the ingredients of this appetizing specialty.
5- Souvlaki
Souvlaki is the name of grilled pork skewers that are often served as a street food with pita bread and french fries. The meat is marinated in oil, lemon juice and some spices and its flavour is mouth-watering.
6- Pita Gyros
Pita Gyros is the dish you can't forget to taste before leaving Greece! This famous street food is a round flat bread cooked on a hot-plate stuffed with strips of lamb, chicken or pork. It can be seasoned with vegetables like olives, cucumber or tomatoes, as well as with sauces like the traditional tzatziki dressing. You can find variants of this dish in other areas of the Mediterranean, such as Tukey of Northern Africa, but nothing tastes as good as a typical Pita Gyros!
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© Alice Pilastri
