Feta cheese is undoubtedly one of the most popular Greek foods outside of Greece. Most think of it as an ingredient used for Greek salads, which it is. However, share a few meals with a Greek family and you will quickly realize that feta consumption is far broader than a…
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Continue ReadingCleaning a whole fish may seem intimidating (it was to me) but it’s actually quite simple and a useful skill particularly in Greece where most fish is sold whole at the local market or caught when out fishing for fun. Following is an illustrated step-by-step. Remove the Fins Using scissors, cut…
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Continue ReadingZucchini is really versatile, known in our home as the Bubba Gump of vegetables. Boiled zucchini, zucchini fritters, zucchini bread and muffins, stuffed zucchini, zucchini vegetable medley, fried zucchini, sauteed zucchini…. If you want to venture into growing your own food, zucchini is an excellent place to start because it’s…
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Continue ReadingPeople often talk about canning tomatoes but did you know you can freeze them, too? If like me, you’re more comfortable with freezing than canning, this is definitely a technique worth exploring. One of the benefits of this approach is that nothing is added to the tomatoes allowing the flavor…
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Continue ReadingDill is used extensively in Mediterranean cooking. It is available both fresh and dry year-round in most grocery stores and is an easy herb to grow at home. If you opt to grow your own, you will want to preserve it for use during the winter months. Preservation methods include drying or freezing.…
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Continue ReadingIf you have access to grape vines and enjoy stuffed grape leaves, it is worth picking some young fresh leaves and preserving them. The flavor will be superior to those from the store and there is something special about eating stuffed grape leaves that you picked yourself. Because the leaves…
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Continue ReadingStrawberry season is finally here! With such a short growing season (late April through the end of May), I become slightly obsessed with this beautiful red fruit. When it comes to strawberries, the fresher the better. For this reason, I prefer locally grown berries. Also, picking your own is a…
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Continue ReadingEggplants truly shines in mediterranean cuisine. Whether enjoyed in the form of moussaka, a dip, stew, or simply baked in the oven with a little salt and olive oil, eggplant is delicious. Unfortunately, its growing season only spans a few months and it doesn’t transport well. Being sensitive to the cold and…
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Continue ReadingOn occasion, a recipe will call for ouzo, an anise flavored spirit that is widely consumed throughout Greece. Depending on the brand, the alcohol content will range from 38% to 46% alcohol by volume (ABV). If you enjoy the flavor, ouzo is easy to drink and can be treacherous for the…
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Continue ReadingCoquina clams, known as “midia” in Greek, are found in the sand along the shore line. Foraging for coquina clams is a lot of fun and makes for a great family activity on the beach. Following the steps outlined below and you can add them to your cooking with dishes…