This past year, I was given the opportunity to go on a study abroad trip of a lifetime- a trip to Greece! Although the trip was through The University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, all I could think about leading up to the trip was the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Would I magically fall in love with a Grecian fisherman? Would I ride a donkey up the steps of Santorini? There were so many things that came to mind when I thought of my impending trip to Greece, yet for some reason the cuisine wasn’t one of them. I had local American versions of Mediterranean foods like Zoe’s Kitchen, but that did not prepare me for the true Greek food experience.
An Authentic Greek Food Experience
By the end of the first night in Greece, we had already eaten a six course meal that showcased all that Greek Cuisine has to offer. Throughout our trip, food remained the highlight of each part of the day. We may have each gained an extra 5 pounds, but it was well worth it.
The first course of every meal we had was a traditional Greek Salad, which contains bell peppers, red onions, feta cheese, black olives, cucumbers and tomatoes all drizzled with olive oil.
We then had another very popular dish called Souvlaki, better known as chicken kebabs. They are usually served with a sauce and SURPRISE, french fries. The Greeks love their french fries. They bake their version in olive oil.
The most popular dish among our study abroad group was the fresh pita bread with Tzatziki sauce, which is made of greek yogurt, fresh dill, garlic and shaved cucumbers. It tastes good on just about everything. It’s a very light dip.
Spanakopita was one of the dishes that we had with almost every meal and may be one of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten. It’s a fried, savory, pastry made with phyllo dough, feta, spinach, garlic and dill. Spanakopita is so rich, buttery and decadent.
One food that we actually got the opportunity to learn how to make were Dolmas. Dolmas are stuffed grape leaves that contain different kinds of vegetables and spices. It was probably one of the more adventurous foods we were able to try in Greece and yet, it was one of the most delicious. If we were given a tray of Dolmas, it was guaranteed they were gone within minutes.
Now the most important part of any meal- dessert!
Fresh Baklava is like eating a piece of heaven. It’s also a dish made out of phyllo dough, but this time instead of being a savory dish like in the case of Spanakopita, it’s made sweet by using honey and pistachios (although it can be made with walnuts). It’s made in layers and baked until it’s golden and crispy.
My personal favorite, and probably anyone else’s, was the Loukoumades. Loukoumades are pastries soaked in honey and powdered sugar. They are basically donut holes drenched in warm honey and when you bite into them the honey bursts out of the center. Sometimes they drizzle them in chocolate sauce and serve them with vanilla ice cream.
Overall, I would highly recommend adding Greece to your bucket list. The Greek food experience is unlike any other. Yes, the history was cool and all, but let’s be honest, we’re just going to eat.