In Greek: συκομαϊδα, pronounced see-koh-ma-EE-thah (hard “th”) Traditionally, these little bundles of spiced figs wrapped in fig leaves are dried in the sun, but a slow oven does a great job. Once cooked, these will stay fresh and edible up to a year. Although the list of ingredients is slightly long, they are easy to […]

Ingredients: 3 kilos of ripped figs 2 kilos of sugar 1/2 a kilo of crushed walnuts A handful of crushed pine nuts 1/2 a cup of lemon juice Method: Pour some water in a large pot and bring it to boil. As soon as the water boils remove it from the heat. Cut the stems […]

NGREDIENTS: 1kgr figs 1\2 kgr sugar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice METHOD: Peel the figs and cut into small pieces. In a saucepan, place the figs, the sugar, stir well and let them boil over medium heat. Remove the foam (if there is any). Shortly before jam thickens, add the lemon juice and stir. Allow […]

Ingredients: 24 dried figs 12 walnut halves 1 cup premium Greek honey (thyme-scented) 1 tbsp rosewater 6 sheets filo (optional) Method: Soak the figs for 24 hours in a bowl with 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon rose-water, and enough warm water to cover. The next day, remove the figs, drain, and stuff each one with […]

Ingredients: 100 g good quality dried figs 100 g walnuts, finely chopped cinnamon sesame seeds orange flower or rose water Method: Open the figs in the middle and sprinkle with orange water and cinnamon. Stuff the figs with walnuts and sesame seeds, then fold them. Bake in the oven at 200*C for a few minutes […]

Original Recipe Caeseus cum Recenti Fico Pliny, Natural History A recent idea has been to eat a fresh fig instead of salt with cheese. [Grant, p. 79] Ingredients: Fresh or dried figs Cheese (recommended types include Feta, Asiago, Romano, and Ricotta). Preparation Steps Arrange figs on a plate with cheese. Notes Experiment with different types of […]

Many Greek recipes call for the traditional combination of olive oil and lemon juice added just before serving. The combination – mixed or separate – is simple, healthy, and delicious. Some recipes say mix them (into “latholemono” sauce) and some call for them used separately. How do you figure out when to use which? The […]

Question: What Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs Are in Season Now? Traditional Greek cooking is based on what’s in season at the moment. Meals are often planned at the last minute, depending on what looks irresistible at the market! So what’s in season now? Answer:In today’s world of refrigeration and hothouse-grown produce, the distinction among seasonal produce […]

Question: What Did the Ancient Greeks Eat? Answer:The foods of ancient Greece were similar to foods we eat today, but did not include many that have become important parts of modern Greek cooking. For example, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and bananas didn’t arrive in Greece until after the discovery of the Americas in the 15th century, because […]

Like other ancient civilizations, the basic ancient Greek foods were cereals, legumes, oil, and wine. Many ancient Greeks lived in Magna Graecia (Megale Hellas), so the food of the Romans overlaps that of the Greeks. There were, of course, other influences on ancient Greek foods, especially from Asia. We know the Greeks had a wide variety of […]