Feasting, Greek Style

Greeks are the best at celebrations. The Greek culture has evolved through wars and occupations, hunger and famine--struggles of all kinds. Consistently, regardless of difficulties, Greek people seem to excel in sharing joy. Typical are weddings, name days, baptisms--all usually affiliated with rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church. My last post was about the Lenten fasting foods of Greece. Today, it's about the feasts that follow fasting. My Roasted Lamb Simplified has the same ingredients as the traditional Easter leg of lamb, but the method makes it easier to prepare. You can find it here.

Easter Sunday is filled with celebration, joy and so...much...food! In some parts of Greece, there are community-wide gatherings with many long tables, a row of whole lambs being roasted over a bed of hot coals, all of the pastries (like baklava) and all of the specialty dishes of the many who assemble. This is a more traditional, village-style gathering from the days when no one family could afford a big celebration, so everyone brought what they could and shared it with neighbors. Think of it as a barn-raising and potluck dinner in one.

As I type away in comfort on this Holy Week Thursday, I cannot help but think of other Orthodox Christians who are living and praying and celebrating in the midst of war. Ukraine. Lebanon. May there be peace--that's my Easter prayer.

Greeks all over the world will celebrate the resurrection of Christ at midnight on Saturday. Sunday will be the biggest celebration of the year. Traditional Easter feasting foods will include lamb dishes (usually roasted with potatoes), salads, dips like Tzatziki, spanakopita, tiropita, dyed red eggs, the aromatic brioche-style tsoureki and pastries of all kinds.

And Greeks will dance. Traditional folk dances are still going strong among all generations. This is a beautiful example of where there are Greeks, besides food, there is almost always dancing.

 

For a simplified Greek Easter dinner, choose from the following:

My Tzatziki salad--an easier version of Tzatziki but in salad form.

Today's recipe of Roasted Lamb Simplified--I use lamb shanks for ease of preparation and cooking.

My updated recipe for a traditional chickpea salad.

Spanakopita, because you have to have something to nibble on while the lamb is cooking.

Fava Dip--incredibly easy and make-ahead.

Below are visual examples of typical Greek celebration foods.