Greek Holiday Traditions — Food

Happy Day!  

Here at Kefi L!fe we are discussing the value of traditions, especially in the Greek household.  A tradition which transcends borders and boundaries, is food.     

Greeks have a symbiotic relationship with food, especially during the holidays including Christmas.   

Food is at every gathering and at every table, and it is the main topic of conversation.  

We eat a meal, and then we ask what’s to eat for the next meal.  

Generational recipes remind one of Yia Yia/grandmother, Thea/aunt and so forth.  

When it comes to food, most of the OG or old school Greeks know the recipes by heart.  

No books or notes are required, only preparing meals and food by memory, taste and repeated effort.  

The rules for cooking: do it with love, take your time, taste as you go, use the best extra virgin olive oil for everything. 

Food brings the family together and when we visit other family members, we take food 

to them as well.  We also take food to those in need, to those who are sick and to those in the hospital.  

Food is a form of love and a simple way to help your neighbor be nourished physically and spiritually. 

At Christmas time, cookies are a popular and special food eaten and served in a Greek household.  

There are three special cookies we love to prepare, share and eat: 

• Melomakarona,  

• Kourabiedes (or Kourambiethes)

• Koulouria.   

Melomakarona are delicious with the three main ingredients being semolina, extra virgin olive oil and honey.  They are usually almond shaped.  These lovelies taste great after eating dinner and while sipping coffee. 

Kourabiedes (or Kourambiethes) are round or crescent shaped sweet butter cookies covered with white powdered sugar.  The snowy white color of powder sugar represents happiness and joy, and these sweet edibles are served on three major occasions: Christmas, weddings and baptisms.  Warning, the powder sugar can go all over your face and clothes when biting into one, so tiny bites please. 

Koulouria are also a form of butter cookie with no powder sugar, and they can have sesame seeds on top or a brush of butter. Koulouria are served at Christmas time and Easter.  Great with coffee and or alone.   

Share food, love and cookies this holiday season.    

Kali orexi! 

Wishing you Ola Kala- All is well, 

Kiki