Until now, my only experience with fishing involved a single line baited with clams and a catch barely bigger than goldfish (read last year’s story here). Although my husband and his uncle sometimes head out at night troll fishing for larger fish, the thought of being out at sea in the dark is somewhat terrifying, ultimately leading me to pass on these nocturnal outings. That was until this year when they decided to go long-line fishing which involves dropping baited lines at night and retrieving them early the next morning. Although I skipped the evening part of the process, I was…
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Continue ReadingOur time in Greece is filled with rest and relaxation as well as exploring foods produced in the region, such as artisanal olive oil, florina peppers, and mountain tea. There is a long list of locally produced foods that are difficult, if not impossible, to find in the United States. This year, I set out to learn more about Greek wines. While Greece has established its reputation as one of the world’s leading olive oil producers, it isn’t well known for its wines. Last summer I tasted a Greek rosé and found it to be one of the most enjoyable rosés…
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Continue ReadingOur summer visit to Greece concluded with a one night stay in Athens. When asked by our friends what we wanted to do, the answer was obvious: eat good Greek food! With a city as large as the capital, there is no shortage of options. Knowing our penchant for seafood, our friends decided to take us to Raki Meze, which loosely translates to “booze and small plates”. The restaurant’s setting was charming with both indoor and veranda seating. In order to enjoy a variety of foods, our group agreed to order multiple dishes, which we shared family style. Following are…
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Continue ReadingIf you think the French are the only ones who enjoy snails, think again. Greeks are just as keen on eating the little mollusks. While there are snail farms in Greece, you can forage for them in the wild. There is a field not far from our house with little snails, about the size of a dime. Last summer was the first time I ate them after my uncle-in-law showed up with a plate full. This year, I decided to try my hand at foraging and cooking them myself. And so, armed with a little plastic bag, I set out…
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Continue ReadingThis past summer’s trip to Greece included a day touring the island of Spetses. Having spent most of my time in Greece on the south-western coast of the Peloponnese, exploring Spetses was a thrill. As soon as you disembark at the port of Dapia, you are struck by the island’s charm. First, the transportation in the town’s center does not include cars. While this means you will find a number of scooters zipping around, it makes the town very walkable; and if you’re looking for a break from walking, you can enjoy a tour of the island on horse drawn carriage.…
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Continue ReadingWhile most of our meals are home cooked, every summer, we make a point of enjoying several dinners at our favorite family owned seaside restaurant, En Plw, pronounced “En Plo”. During the day, Mr. Dakouras, a fisherman, takes his boat out to sea, while his wife, Kiria Tulla and their son, run the kitchen and service. As with many villages in Greece, our little seaport town of Katakolo offers an abundance of fresh seafood to enjoy at local establishments. In addition to the freshness of the food, it is a treat to enjoy dinner looking out at the sea and the…
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Continue ReadingGreece is best known for its islands, beautiful sunsets, and picturesque seaside villages. These are certainly key to Greece’s lure, but there is another quality to the country; its agriculture. Most of my time in Greece has been spent in the southern part of the mainland, known as the Peloponnese. This region is the country’s “bread basket”. Its fertile soil yields a multitude of crops, its surrounding seas are filled with fresh fish, and there are seemingly endless olive groves from which the people derive their prized olive oil. As with any region rich in agriculture, a trip to the…