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Koukou's Culinary Travels

2K views 29 replies 10 participants last post by  koukouvagia 
#1 · (Edited)
Here are some of the culinary delights we've been enjoying since we arrived in my home country, the island of Krete. We'll be here for another month and I hope to update the thread periodically.

Weeds


Pastries


Baklava and the like

 
#2 · (Edited)
#3 · (Edited)
More garden delights

One of our rosemary bushes, about 4ft tall


Cactus


Figs


marjoram


Oregano


cluster of herbs and fennel


Mint


Leeks


I think these are called Armenian cucumbers


Olives

 
#9 · (Edited)
The only kind of greens that are available now in the summer are calalloo, most varieties grow in the fall and winter.  Calalloo are not my favorites but they are plentiful now.  I believe they are also called amaranth.  My most favorite is called stamnagathi and it is a spiny chicory.  Very hard to find at this time of year.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Alert!  I just ate the most amazing mozzarrella I have ever tasted in my life.  I made a very quick salad for dinner, just a fresh tomato, some mozzarella, fresh basil, dressed with olive oil and balsamic.  Up until today I've never ever seen fresh mozzarella in Krete but I just happened to find it today in the market, a little tiny bulb of buffalo mozzarella packed in water.  I didn't think much of it until I cut into it and saw that it had the texture of burata.  I didn't even take a picture of it.  Wow, wow wow.  I'll go and get more and then post a nice salad. What a revelation!
 
#14 ·
It is a wonderful thing to just munch your way thru a vacation. The fresh vegis look so good and the Med weather. Im so jelous right now as we are just cold and rain here all summer. Its si bad that the wife and kids are going to Grand Canary in August just to get some sun before school starts.

Hope your saviouring every second.
 
#15 ·
The only kind of greens that are available now in the summer are calalloo, most varieties grow in the fall and winter. Calalloo are not my favorites but they are plentiful now. I believe they are also called amaranth. My most favorite is called stamnagathi and it is a spiny chicory. Very hard to find at this time of year.
Amaranth AKA lambs quarters aka pig weed...
 
#16 ·
Loukoumades - fluffy fried balls of yeasty dough served right out of the fryer and drizzled with honey and cinnamon. I can eat these until I explode.


I was working on my tan when this kind man came by and sold us a tiropita and a doughnut.


Nutella speaks for itself

 
#17 ·
I'm drying oregano and marjoram from the garden so I can take it back home with me.


For the first time ever I've found imported mozzarella di bufala here and it's some of the best I've ever had.

Finally!


Had some friends visit us after their various travels and they brought for us some smoked

sockeye from Vancouver and Gouda from Holland. The figs are from my tree and the eggs from a neighbor's chicken.

 
#26 ·
We had the opportunity to visit a local restaurant that is certified to serve authentic Kretan cuisine. It was quite an experience.

Grilled carrot with balsamic dressing - why have I never thought to grill a carrot before?


Traditional pies from Chania, hand stretched dough and grilled in a wood oven.


Filled with grilled zucchini and cheese


Filled with braised goat and yogurt


View from our table

 
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