What can be said about Santorini that hasn’t already been said? Santorini, also called Thera, is probably the most famous island of the Cyclades. It is renowned for its astounding beauty, its gorgeous sunsets, the iconic, picturesque, whitewashed houses of villages that are sprinkled on the arid slopes of one of the world’s most famous active volcanoes, and of course, for its unique beaches and cosmopolitan luxury.
Santorini’s history is powerful and rich, starting from prehistoric times, being at the front and center of pivotal moments for two of the most important ancient civilizations of the Aegean: the Cycladic and the Minoan. Its volcano sealed the decline of the Minoan civilization and later, in the 1500s, cut a new outline for the island itself and is responsible for some of the most alien looking, wild beauty beaches you can find.
Because Santorini has so much going for it, and so many things that are gorgeous and breathtaking, some things just get missed – and quite often that is what happens to its cuisine. Santorini’s local cuisine is just as breathtakingly good as everything else about the island. Carrying the long, rich history of the land and the culture that was forged through it, Santorini’s dishes will delight you with their variety and inventiveness!
We have picked some of the most popular ones for which Santorini is famous throughout Greece as the perfect springboard for your tasty forays into the deliciousness that is Theran cuisine!
The unique inventiveness of Santorini’s cuisine
Thanks to the fact that Santorini is a volcanic island and much of it was covered in layers upon layers of lava, we know that many of the dietary traditions and the dishes served in Santorini today date as far back as 3,500 years.
Islands always had to be self-sufficient when it came to sustenance, which was a problem for many of the Cyclades as they are not very fertile. With few exceptions, little grows in an environment of strong winds, scorching sun, and very little water.
But not Santorini. The lava that spilled out of the volcano created fertile valleys and slopes were a range of vegetables and fruit not normally found in the islands could grow. So Santorini is home to special kinds of tomato, really tiny zucchini, white eggplant, and waterless cucumbers called antsouria, along with the ubiquitous capers. While these vegetables were key in shaping the character of Theran cuisine, it was another ingredient that truly dominated it: split peas.
Also known as lathouri, Santorinian split peas are considered the best in Greece, if not the world. They are a staple of the island’s local spin on the Greek Mediterranean diet. Thanks to the minerals and other qualities of the soil, these split peas have an enhanced taste and excellent texture, making them superior to split peas from elsewhere, just like the island’s capers, which also pack a stronger punch.
But the blessing of the lava is short-lived, and locals have always had to quickly preserve the produce before it spoilt, creating a lot of cheeses, preserves, and other ingredients that enhance their dishes in unparalleled ways.
The following iconic dishes illustrate exactly the expertise Santorinians in making a lot out of very little and extending the blessing of the lava.
1. Fava and Special Fava (Split Peas)
Fava is the name for split peas in Greece. The famous Santorini fava is served in two ways: cooked to creamy perfection with olive oil, crushed onion, and capers sprinkled on top, or the special version, which is quickly stir-frying the creamy fava with chopped onions, bell peppers, and olives.
Both are surprisingly tasty and extremely nourishing (it’s a great source of magnesium, iron, and potassium). Don’t be afraid to dunk your freshly baked bread in the dish to scoop up the goodness before you wash it down with some good wine!
2. Fava with Octopus
Fava is paired with many foods in Santorini, and octopus is a prime example. The octopus is cooked in olive oil and red wine with laurel leaves and allspice, until it is soft and succulent and a syrupy sauce has formed in the pan.
It is then served together with the special fava, lightly fried over medium heat with chopped onions, bell peppers, and sometimes even carrots. The dish is topped with oregano.
The tastes are a perfect, balanced match, the textures complement each other, and the only problem is you’ll probably want seconds.
3. Domatokeftedes (Tomato Fritters)
These are deep fried patties made with batter made with a mix of local tomatoes, dried and fresh chopped onions, peppermint, basil, and oregano.
They are a quick but disarmingly tasty treat usually served as an appetizer. The fritters are crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, with an explosion of taste and flavors the moment you bite into one.
Be warned that it’s unlikely you’ll only be able to eat a few.
4. Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Salad)
Despite being called a salad, this is actually a dip that locals and other Greeks alike love to serve up for Lent.
It is baked eggplant that has been creamed with olive oil, salt, and pepper. It is perfect for dunking your bread in and goes amazingly with the local split peas, so try the combination!
5. Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)
Spanakopita is so widespread in Greece that it is even an ambassador of Greek cuisine abroad. In Santorini, however, there is a special local version that you should definitely sample. True traditional spanakopita from Santorini is served hot or warm.
This best enhances the flavors of the spinach filling and the exquisite crunchiness of the many layers of phyllo. The filling itself is a mix of spinach and various local herbs and aromatic wild greens that further enhance the flavor. It is served with or without the local feta cheese.
6. Horiatiki with Hlorotyri
Hlorotyri (meaning young cheese) is a local cheese made with goat’s milk. Because it is only produced in Santorini, there isn’t too much to go around, so you will need to seek it out.
It’s served as a treat on toasted bread or, for an even more unique experience, in the traditional Greek peasant’s salad (in Greek, horiatiki) with special local small tomatoes.
7. Apochti (Local Charcuterie)
Apochti is Santorini’s local charcuterie made from salted pork. It is cured in vinegar and rubbed with pepper, savory leaves, and cinnamon. It is then hung out to air and then kept in the cellar for the year.
It is cut in very thin slices and offered as a special treat to go with ouzo or raki.
8. Rabbit Tyravgoulo
This unique dish is only found in Santorini and manages to perfectly balance out a whole range of flavors you wouldn’t think would go together!
The rabbit is stir-fried over medium heat together with onion, garlic, and flour. Then laurel leaves, red wine, and water are added to allow the meat to cook to tender perfection. When ready, the rabbit is topped with a special sauce made with egg, ground hard cheese, and wine.
The dish is rich, enhancing the meat, and is usually served with rice or pasta.
9. Stuffed Birds of Santorini
This is a misleading name for the dish, because the birds are actually zucchini flowers, which are carefully stuffed with a mix of rice and onions, tomato, peppermint, allspice and ground zucchini.
They are then boiled and served with freshly sliced tomatoes. They are a lovely vegan dish full of aroma and freshness that you will love as an appetizer!
10. Sand Smelt Pie (Fish Pie)
In Greece, sand smelt (small local fish) is usually deep fried and goes well with a good glass of wine. But in Santorini it’s taken to the next level by being fried in the pan together with chopped onions and held together with batter or flour.
It is served with fresh local tomatoes and will give a whole new meaning to crunchy and delicious!
11. Sfouggato
Sfougatto is an extremely opulent omelet. Primarily, chopped up zucchini, potatoes, and tomatoes are stir-fried over medium heat to release their juices.
Once they’re all blended together, the beaten eggs and a variety of cheeses are poured in, making a fluffy, thick omelet that better resembles a soufflé than anything else!
12. Cod Brantada
This dish is typically deep-fried cod, but it has a special spin that makes it unique to Santorini. And, as with many things, the secret’s in the sauce!
A lush, very tasty sauce made of tomato, mashed potatoes, crushed garlic, and vinegar. The cod is then placed in the sauce and baked in the oven for roughly 15 minutes before serving.
It is a quick dish that is crunchy yet succulent, light yet rich in flavor, and surprisingly balanced!
13. Kopania
Kopania is a quick dessert made with crushed hard wheat rusks mixed with resins and sesame that are then crushed together all over again and kneaded into small balls. These balls are then coated in sesame. They are surprisingly sweet and tasty, so give them a try!
14. Melitinia
These are cookies that consist of a cup shaped dough filled with a mix of sweet soft cheese (usually mitzithra or anthotyro), sugar, and cinnamon. They are usually served up for celebrations or during Easter.
15. Santorini Pudding
This unique dessert is made with eggs, butter, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and semolina. The ingredients are cooked together to make the pudding, which is topped with a delectable syrup made of the famous local Visanto wine, sugar and cinnamon.
There are also versions of the pudding with chocolate, and really light ones with milk and bread. Try every version, as they are all extremely tasty and satisfying as they melt in the mouth!
Santorini’s cuisine is all about making the scarce plentiful and enhancing the unique tastes of the produce that grows in their volcanic soil. There are a lot more dishes to discover and try, a grand variety of cheeses and famous wines, and a lot of new tasty discoveries to make apart from these extremely popular and famous dishes that we’re confident you too will enjoy to its fullest.
Santorini is indeed the jewel of the Cyclades, and its cuisine lives up to that reputation!
Related: Most Popular Greek Desserts
Related: Most Popular Dishes in Skiathos
The post 15 Must-Try Foods in Santorini appeared first on Chef's Pencil.
from Chef's Pencil https://ift.tt/8Ik2rQW
via https://chefsspenncil.blogspot.com
