Greece is renowned for its beauty, history and spirited culture. The best of Greece is represented by its cuisine. Greek food is fresh, wholesome and healthy. Much has been made of the health benefits, as well as variety, to be found in Mediterranean food by nutrition experts and popular chefs.
Greece is known for the diversity of geography, as well as its history. This diversity is reflected in its cuisine from the Greek Islands to the farmlands and mountains of Northern Greece, all merging in the thriving city of Athens. The beautiful islands of Greece are bountiful with fresh seafood served in friendly island tavernas.
Northern Greece is abundant with fertile land as well as mountainous regions less hospitable to farming. Greek food in the North is more meat based than its island counterpart, and more reliant on heartier grain based recipes. Savory pies and freshly baked bread, all enjoyed with ubiquitous Greek cheeses, are found throughout Greece.
Greek cheeses are the art of Greek cuisine. While popular varieties like feta and kasseri are famous throughout the world, there are many other types of cheese, each still made with traditional recipes. Most Greek cheeses are made from goat or sheep milk, and many varieties can only be found in Greece. Even today many cheeses are not made for commercial purposes. Plates of freshly made Greek cheese are a staple of Greek socializing and dining.
Many dishes are served in the Greek style of mezedes, small plates of food made with cheeses, skewers of meat, vegetables, seafood and fresh vegetables such as eggplant and mushrooms. Three very popular mezedes are mini meatballs know as kefthedes, stuffed grape leaves and of course, the Greek olive.
The Greek olive abounds throughout Greece. Nothing perhaps best represents the merging of Greek geography and food than the olive. They are found in many varieties and often named for the region in which they’re grown. Perhaps most well known are the Kalamates olives from the Kalamata region.
After exploring the mezedes of Greek cuisine, heartier fare can be found in main dish Greek recipes. The healthy Mediterranean diet includes wonderful soups and casseroles. A popular Greek soup is lemon soup; it may also serve as a base for fish, lamb or vegetable soups. Healthy casserole dishes like moussaka and pastitsio are guaranteed to satisfy the heartiest appetite.
Since Greek recipies are prepared from whole, unprocessed ingredients, ingredients are plentiful and easily found. Greek recipies may be handed down for generations, or found with a quick search of the Internet. It is easy to reap the healthy benefits of Mediterranean food while enjoying Greek food.
