Tomorrow is the 1st Saturday of the Souls. Offering the dead sweet foods is a way to honor them, celebrate their memories and break down the barriers between them and the living. If forgotten the dead become shadowy images and never visit…
Easter bread and the number 8
Symbols for warding off the evil influences and christian symbols play an important part in the Greek festive breads. In parts of Greece, the early Christian tradition of number 8, symbol of Jesus resurrection,* survived in the Easter breads. However,…
Recording food culture of Amari Valley, Crete
A few years ago, I gave an interview about food culture of Amari Valley (Crete).Since we are two weeks before the 2nd Symposium of Greek Gastronomy, which will be held in Amari, you might be interested in reading it. History,…
Food for the dead (3)
Tsiknopempti, the Thursday of the second week of Greek Carnival (Apokries), is surrounded with the smells and smokes of grilled meat and burning fat. Since it is believed that the souls of the dead are set free and wander among…
BEST THING ON A COLD NIGHT: TRACHANA SOUP
Cold nights call for a warm bowl of trachanas soup, rich and satisfying. Trachanas, as many of you know, is cracked wheat or flour dried with yogurt, or milk (regular fresh or fermented) or vegetable pulp. Cracked barley can be used instead of wheat, it…