A culinary guide to Cretan food
Traditional Cretan cuisine is exceptional, even by Greek standards. Its strength lies in fresh ingredients, seasonal fruits and vegetables, wild herbs and the copious use of olive oil. Food is locally produced in nearby farms and villages, and traditional recipes have been cherished for centuries.
Socializing is an essential part of eating, hence the habit of sharing food. Cretans are also known for their hospitality and friendliness, and this is particularly true when dining out. In almost every Cretan taverna guests are spoiled with some dessert and a small carafe of raki – on the house. There is no tipping culture in Greece, but voluntary tips are always welcomed.
Cheese
Kefalotiri
This hard and salty cheese is made primarily of sheep’s milk, but they do sometimes mix it with goat’s milk too. Intense, strong flavour and a slightly fatty texture.
Mizithra
Very typical fresh cheese made with whey and milk, usually from sheep or goat.
Anthotiro
Mild, soft and fresh cheese that turns hard once it dries out. Usually sprinkled on pasta dishes. Also from sheep or goat.
Graviera
Hard cheese made with sheep’s milk and ripened for at least five months. It has a very rich, slightly sweet taste and can be eaten either alone, on bread, or cooked in pies.
Meat
Apaki
It takes many days to cook this smoked pork dish – first, the strips of pork are marinated in vinegar for several days. Then the meat is hung above a fire made with sage, bay, and rosemary. The final product can be served fried with herbs or as cold, thin slices.
Anticristo
Anticristo is a regional way of grilling meat, mainly sheep and goat, by placing pieces of meat facing each other over a fire. The picturesque village of Anoiga is especially known for their anticristo goat.
Snails
Chochlioi Boubouristi are snails cooked in olive oil and salt, with sprinkled rosemary on top. This traditional Cretan recipe is so delicious, that it has spread to other parts of Greece as well.
Fish
Although Crete is an island, it’s noteworthy to mention that traditionally, locals didn’t eat seafood as much as they ate meat. People stayed close to the mountains where they could develop their agriculture and livestock farming in peace – as coastal areas were exposed to pirate and buccaneer raids. Today, there are many seafood tavernas around the island with impressive seafood menus. The seafood is cooked simply – with sea salt and olive oil.
Vegetarian dishes and small entrees
Askordoulakous
These mountain bulbs are gathered from the hillsides around villages and eaten as a fresh salad, dressed with olive oil and lemon or vinegar. The bulbs can also be pickled or put in a stew with oil, vinegar, and flour.
Dakos
This dish consists of chopped tomato, fresh mizithra, herbs, and olive oil on top of a paximadi, a dried rusk bread. Bite into it carefully, because the hard bread can be difficult to cut! The rusks are usually soaked in water and/or olive oil first to soften them up before serving.
Olives and olive oil
What’s a trip to Crete without trying some of their famous olives and extra virgin olive oil? Olives are a good snack with drinks, and dipping freshly-made bread into some Cretan olive oil while waiting for the orektika to arrive can be a heavenly experience.
Desserts
Kalitsounia
These pies come in many different shapes, most commonly in the form of a tiny cup filled with sweet cheese. The type of cheese used in kalitsounia can change depending on the region of Crete, and they can be either baked or fried. Kalitsounia are a traditional Easter treat and are sometimes served with honey, sesame, and cinnamon on top.
Kserotigana
This sweet pastry is a speciality of Chania, and traditionally prepared for Epiphany or weddings and engagements. After frying, they are dipped in honey and sprinkled with some crushed almonds.
Loukoumades
These deep fried small local donuts are sweeter than they look. They are served warm with honey, cinnamon, and nuts, and some people even add ice cream on top.
The festival at St. Barbara Church in Orange, CT drew crowds for the live Greek music and dancing and traditional favorites like loukoumades. (Photo by TNH/Costas Bej)
Drinks
Raki
This clear liquor is made during the fall after the grapes are harvested. Since Cretans don’t let anything go to waste, raki is made out of the by-products of the winemaking process. The taste of raki is strong and can vary depending on who made it. Rakomelo is a combination of raki, honey, and spices like cardamom and cinnamon. It’s considered to be high in antioxidants and good for digestion.
Wine
Crete is one of Greece’s biggest wine producers, and the local wineries are known for their high quality. Several ancient wine varieties grow only on the island and have been preserved since Minoan times.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Frente
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
AEGEAN concludes transfer of stake in Animawings to Memento Group
EXPOTROF-The Greek Fine Food Exhibition opens near Athens on Saturday
EU forecasts Greece 2024 growth at 2.3%, Eurozone’s fourth-highest rate
Greek Tourism Minister in Belgrade for International Exhibition
Traffic in Athens returning to normal after tractors depart from the Greek capital
Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy on business missions agenda
Bill lifting restrictions for Greeks voting from abroad greenlighted by majority vote
Parnithos Avenue closed down to traffic from the cable car area due to snow
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
Athens streets reopen after private university protest rally and minor incidents
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion