Epirotic cuisine facts for kids

Epirus is a beautiful region in Greece, known for its stunning mountains and rich history. But did you know it also has its own special kind of food? This is called Epirotic cuisine (which means "food from Epirus" in Greek). It's famous for using lots of delicious dairy products like creamy butter and many different kinds of cheese.

Delicious Dairy and Cheeses

Metsovone cheese

The people of Epirus love their cheese! It's a big part of their meals, especially as appetizers. Here are some of the popular cheeses you might find:

• Anthotyros: A soft, fresh cheese, often used in desserts or pies.
• Feta: A salty, crumbly white cheese, famous all over Greece.
• Galotyri: A soft, spreadable cheese with a tangy taste.
• Kaskavali: A firm, yellow cheese, often used for grating or slicing.
• Kefalograviera: A hard, salty cheese, great for frying or grating.
• Kefalotyri: Another hard, salty cheese, similar to Kefalograviera.
• Metsovone, Foumarino, Boukovela, and Metsovela: These are special cheeses that come from a town called Metsovo in Epirus. Metsovone is a smoked cheese, very unique!
• Tyrogliata: A fresh, soft cheese.
• Vasilotyri: A traditional hard cheese.
• Ourda cheese: A fresh cheese, often made from whey.

Main Dishes to Try

Epirotic cuisine offers many hearty and tasty main dishes. One of the most famous types of food is pites (pronounced PEE-tes). These are savory pies with different fillings, often made with thin layers of dough.

• Many types of pites (pies):
  • Kasiopita (also called Kikitsopita)
  • Kothropita
  • Kimadopita (meat pie)
  • Pepéki
  • Kasiata
  • Blatsariá (a green pie)
• Hilopites: These are traditional Greek egg noodles, often served with meat or cheese.
• Frog legs: A unique dish in some parts of Epirus, often fried.
• Kontosouvli: Large pieces of meat (like pork or lamb) cooked on a spit over a fire. It's very flavorful!
• Loukaniko: A delicious Greek sausage, often seasoned with herbs.
• Trahanas: A type of dried pasta or grain, often used to make a warm, comforting soup.

Sweet Treats and Drinks

After a delicious meal, there's always room for something sweet! Epirotic cuisine has some lovely desserts and traditional drinks.

• Amygdalopita: A sweet cake made with almonds and soaked in syrup.
• Spoon sweets: These are fruits or vegetables preserved in syrup, served in a small spoon. They are a traditional welcome treat in Greek homes.
• Klostari: A type of sweet pie.
• Blatsara: Another sweet pie, often made with cornmeal.
• Stegnopita (dry pie): A simple, sweet pie.
• Kassiopita (flour pie): A sweet pie made with flour.
• Flogera (Metsovo): A sweet pastry from Metsovo.
• Greek wine: Epirus also produces its own wines, which are perfect to enjoy with a meal.