Best Greek Recipes for Summer

Written by Greek Boston in Greek Cooking Comments Off on Best Greek Recipes for Summer

Greek cuisine is based on only the freshest of ingredients. Greeks live close to the land, and there are many places in the country that are self sustaining. As a result of this, there are some wonderful recipes that you can cook that are based on the seasonality of the ingredients. In the summer, the food features fresh ingredients, as well as foods that can easily be cooked outside. Here is a look at some of the best recipes from Greek cuisine that you can cook in the summer:

Horiatiki – Greek Salad

This is a popular salad in Greece all year long, but it is even more popular in the summer. In this classic salad, the freshest tomatoes and cucumbers are the focal point. Other ingredients, like onions and green peppers, are also common. The whole thing is topped with feta cheese and Greek olives, drizzled with olive oil, and seasoned with oregano. The juices from the ripe, juice tomatoes form part of the seasoning.

Loukoumathes – Fried Dough with Honey

Loukoumathes are a popular treat, and they are especially popular in the summer. A special dough is dropped into hot olive oil and friend to crispy perfection. It is then topped with ingredients like honey, cinnamon, and walnuts. This is also a popular street food during the warmer months.

Gyro – Greek “Sandwich”

There is nothing quite like buying a gyro from either a street vendor or a gyro shop and eating it outdoors on a hot summer day. Here in the United States, it is also a popular Greek festival food, and many of the festivals take place only during the warmer months. The main components of a gyro, such as he tzatziki, tomatoes, and onions, taste especially great in the summer, especially if the tomatoes are garden fresh and the tzatziki is made with fresh yogurt, herbs, and cucumbers.

Pork Souvlaki

Nothing says summer better than the smell of grilled meat. Souvlaki is one of the most popular foods to grill in Greek cooking, and pork souvlaki is one of the most popular and traditional choices. However, you can use the recipe that we shared here but substitute for other meats, like lamb, beef, and even chicken. It all depends on what kind of meat you prefer to cook. The souvlaki recipes are made the same exact way no matter what kind of meat you have.

Biftekia – Greek “Burgers”

The classic hamburger one of the most popular summer foods of all time. This is the Greek equivalent, but the flavors are a little different and it isn’t usually served in a bun. These are made simmer to the classic Greek meatball, or kefteda, but instead of forcing the meat into balls, they are made into patties.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are also a great pick for the summer, especially since the recipe is the same no matter what vegetable you use. Choose vegetables that are in season in order to maximize your flavors. Squash, zucchini, and peppers, and onions work particularly well in this recipe.

Consider trying one of these Greek recipes during the summertime.

Categorized in: Greek Cooking

This post was written by Greek Boston