A 4C’s Student's Adventures in Greece: Part 2
by Dawn Christakis
Greek cuisine is my top choice when exploring culinary delights. Not only does it taste great, but it's also highly beneficial for health.
It is widely known that the Mediterranean diet could protect against heart disease and diabetes. This diet is packed with high-quality ingredients. It also helps keep blood sugar levels down by including low-glycemic foods.
But that's not all. Greek cuisine's anti-inflammatory ingredients promote joint health.
Here is a countdown of my top five preferred meals:
No. 5:
Greek fries (Dawn Christakis)
The flavor of these fries is unique, as they are made from freshly cut potatoes that are soaked in salt water before cooking. You'll always find them homemade, and the classic style is sprinkled with sea salt and oregano. A popular way to enjoy fries is to dip them in Tzatziki sauce.
No. 4:
Ntakos (Dawn Christakis)
Ntakos or Lantouristo Is a very popular dish on the island of Crete. It is hard barley bread topped with ground tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, oregano, and olive oil. Before you apply the toppings, you need to moisten the hard bread in order to make it soft. It is great for breakfast and lunch and it's very healthy.
No. 3:
Boiled shrimp (Dawn Christakis)
Boiled shrimp has a great sweet taste. In Greece, they prepare them simply by boiling them, and you topped it off with some lemon juice and olive oil. This dish has a nice touch of simplicity, it tastes amazing, and it is full of nutrients.
No. 2:
Ntolmades (Dawn Christakis)
Ntolmades are wrapped grape leaves filled with rice, ground tomatoes, onions, zucchini, potatoes, and garlic. The spices are mint, cumin, salt, and pepper, pure olive oil, and lemon juice. They are light, refreshing, and they taste even better.
Irene, my good friend, put in a lot of effort to make these Ntolmades specifically for me, using her own hands. Which I must mention, is a very difficult preparation.
This dish is mostly served during certain times of the year, with March and April being when the grape leaves are harvested. They are cleaning and boiling them so they're ready to be wrapped. When winter arrives, they store them in the freezer in a circular pattern to prevent breakage and then consume them during the winter months.
No. 1:
Fried Calamari (Dawn Christakis)
This fried calamari dish, known as Kalamarakia Tiganita, is one of my favorites, and it's difficult to find a version as good as what you get in Greece. Although it may not be the healthiest option, the omega-3 fatty acids found in calamari still make it a nutritious food. A good way to prepare it is to add a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt. If you're looking for a fast-food option that also provides nutrition, it's a great option.
In Greece, it is uncommon to come across food that is extremely unhealthy. In most dishes, they include either vegetables, proteins, or fish, always prepared with pure olive oil and rarely butter. Mediterranean cuisine is an excellent choice; it is both light and balanced.
Once you start consuming a Greek diet regularly, you won't worry about calories or health issues, as it is all good for you.
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