Greek food facts for kids

Greek food is the delicious cuisine from Greece. It's a big part of the Mediterranean diet, which is known for being super healthy. Imagine fresh vegetables, tasty olive oil, and yummy seafood. Greek cooking has been around for thousands of years, with flavors influenced by ancient Greeks, Romans, and even the Ottoman Empire. It's all about simple, fresh ingredients that taste amazing together.

• 

  Greek salad

• 

  Gyros wraps in Greece, with meat, onions, tomato, lettuce, fries, and tzatziki rolled in a pita

• 

  Kalamata olives

Key Ingredients

Greek food uses many fresh and healthy ingredients. These are often grown right in Greece.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is perhaps the most important ingredient. Greeks use it in almost everything! It's used for cooking, dressing salads, and even dipping bread. Greek olive oil is famous for its high quality and rich flavor.

Vegetables and Herbs

Fresh vegetables are a must. You'll find lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, spinach, and onions. Herbs like oregano, mint, thyme, and dill give Greek dishes their special smell and taste.

Meat and Seafood

Lamb and pork are very popular meats. Chicken and beef are also common. Because Greece is surrounded by the sea, fresh fish and seafood are also a big part of the diet, especially in coastal areas and on the islands.

Cheese and Yogurt

Feta cheese is probably the most famous Greek cheese. It's salty and crumbly, perfect for salads. Other cheeses like halloumi and kefalotyri are also used. Greek yogurt is thick and creamy, often eaten with honey or fruit. It's also used in savory dishes like tzatziki.

Popular Greek Dishes

Greek cuisine offers a wide range of delicious meals. Here are some you might know.

Souvlaki and Gyros

Souvlaki is a popular Greek fast food.

Souvlaki is small pieces of meat (often pork or chicken) grilled on a skewer. It's a popular fast food. Gyros is meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, then sliced thin. It's usually served in a pita bread with tzatziki, tomatoes, and onions.

Moussaka

Moussaka is a classic Greek casserole.

Moussaka is a famous baked dish. It's made with layers of seasoned ground meat, sliced eggplant, and sometimes potato. It's topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and baked until golden brown.

Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

Horiatiki means "village salad." It's a simple but tasty salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, Kalamata olives, and a big slice of feta cheese. It's dressed with olive oil and a sprinkle of oregano.

Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a refreshing dip made from Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. It's often served with grilled meats or as a dip for pita bread.

Baklava

Baklava is a sweet and nutty pastry.

For dessert, Baklava is a must-try. It's a sweet pastry made of many thin layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.

Eating Habits

In Greece, meals are often a social event. Families and friends gather to share food and talk. Lunch is usually the main meal of the day, eaten in the early afternoon. Dinner is often later in the evening. Sharing plates is common, allowing everyone to try different dishes.

Images for kids

• 

  A Greek salad from Thessaloniki

• 

  Traditional Greek Kleftiko, consisting of lamb marinated with lemon juice, potatoes and spices and cooked slowly in a sealed container.

• 

  Greek gyros

See also

In Spanish: Gastronomía de Grecia para niños