Vazania, as they are called in the Cypriot dialect, (in Greece they are called melitzanes), is a simple dish made withe fried eggplants and potatoes, which are cooked, together in a tomato sauce to make them “giahni” (stewed). This vegan dish, uses only a few ingredients, so it’s not only frugal but also very delicious.
Nistisima (Lenten)
Koupepia Gialantzi are a traditional Cypriot dish, commonly known as stuffed vine leaves. They are similar to the Greek dish dolmades but are vegan with only rice and herbs.
Taramosalata, is a wonderful Greek dip made with red or white fish roe of the cod or carp fish, served as an appetizer.
Homemade Lemon squash is made with only two ingredients. Lemon juice and sugar. Nothing like homemade lemon squash to beat the summer heat!
Loukoumades are Greek doughnuts which are fried and shaped into small round balls, served with honey, cinnamon and walnuts or plain in Cyprus dipped in sugar syrup.
This is the easiest strawberry jam you can make and it tastes amazing! Strawberries have a short season, so preserve them while they are still in season.
One of my favorite dishes in the whole world is Greek style octopus salad, or “htapodi salata”, which combined with boiled potatoes, green onion, parsley and extra virgin olive oil is fabulous served as a side or main dish.
Eliopita, Elioti or Eliopitakia are Cypriot olive pastries made either as a bread, as a roulade, as turnovers or a pie, to accompany a cup of coffee or tea.
Kathara Deftera, which means Clean Monday marks the beginning of Lent. During this period the Orthodox abstain from eating meat and dairy products.
Glyko Bergamonto or Bergamot fruit preserve is one of the most delicious and aromatic Greek fruit preserves (glyka tou koutaliou in Greek).