Corfiot Food

TRADITIONAL GREEK AND CORFIOT CUISINE

      Mediterranean cuisine is deservedly recognized as the favorite of world gastronomy. Corfu, on the other hand, stands out among the Mediterranean islands – due to the rich historical events and favorable geographical position, Greek and Venetian traditions intertwined in the island’s cuisine. Until now, the dishes have Venetian  notes, and their recipes are famous for their sophistication, but at the same time they are easy to prepare.

The most famous fish dishes of Corfu are bianco and burdeto.

Bianco (white) is cooked from the best varieties of sea fish, the fish is languishing in its own juice with garlic-lemon sauce and potatoes.

For a spicy burdetto, they use scopion fish, boiled in tomato sauce with lots of onions, hot peppers and other spices.

 The traditional meat dishes of the island are sofrito and pastitsiada.

sofrito are tender slices of beef stewed in vinegar sauce with lots of parsley, garlic and white allspice. Usually served with mashed potatoes or rice.

Homemade pastitsiada is made from rooster or beef, the meat is stewed in tomato sauce with the addition of secret spices. Served with thick tubular pasta. This is probably the most favorite recipe for Corfiots, the dish is often prepared for holidays and celebrations.

An interesting local dish tsigareli is a spinach, wild herb stewed in olive oil, with the addition of garlic, herbs and hot peppers.

Since ancient times, the island has preserved the traditions of the production of raw smoked sausages and dried meat; there is a huge selection of home-made sausages and frankfurters. The most famous once are nouboulo and corfiot salami. Dried meat nubulo is an amazing appetizer for wine and ouzo. For its preparation, only smoked pork tenderloin of the highest quality is used.

Pitas (pies) with all kinds of fillings are very popular in village taverns. Meat, chicken, mushroom, vegetable and cheese, in handmade puff pastry.

The hallmark of the island is the citrus fruit KUM KUAT. Liqueurs, jam, marmalade are produced from this dwarf orange, and it is also sold in candied form. The local cuisine includes pork or turkey  with koum kouat.

Another well-known traditional product of Corfu is the soft drink ginger beer. It is a non-alcoholic ginger beer made from natural ingredients such as lemon juice, grated ginger, sugar and water. The drink has a refreshing taste and it is great demand, especially in the summer heat.

There is also a large selection of local sweets on the island. Sikomaida – a sweet appetizer of dried ground figs, with the addition of ouzo, spices and hot peppers. It goes well with raw sausages and as an appetizer for alcoholic drinks.

We are strongly recommend trying local family restaurants and taverns so that you taste a local original home cook recipes.  

DICTIONARY

Arnie – lamb

Moshari – veal

Hirino – pork

Katziki – goat

Kuneli – rabbit

Kotopoulo – chicken

Galopula – turkey

Souvlaki – barbecue

Kalamaria – squid

Supia – cuttlefish

Khtapodi – octopus

Astakos – lobster

Caravida – a type of sea crayfish

Psari – fish

Psarotaverna – fish restaurant

Midia akhnista – mussels boiled in wine with herbs

Tiri – cheese

Psita lachanika – grilled vegetables

Pita – pie

Gliko – sweets

FISH

Large fish are usually grilled, small fish are deep-fried.

Fagri, Sinagrida, Sargos are some of the best varieties of fish.

Barbunya – Mediterranean red mullet – a red small fish.

Kotsomura is a type of red mullet that is more delicate in taste.

Gavros (hamsa), maridaki, aferini – small fried fish.

Glossa – sole

Sardeles – sardines

Xifias – swordfish

BEVERAGES

As you may have guessed, here we will talk about drinks that you should definitely try in Greece.

Let’s start with the easiest. Frappe is a iced coffee (from Nescafe) and whipped airy foam, black or white. It is better and healthier to drink freddo – iced coffee,  espresso or cappuccino, whipped in a glass with ice.

You can talk about wine for a long time, especially about such a wonderful one as in Corfu, but it’s better to just try it. Red or white, whatever you like – pay tribute to the gifts of Corfu’s vineyards! In every village and in many houses,  Greeks make their own homemade wine – white, red or rose. In any tavern you can ask to taste homemade wine (hima). In all taverns tasted differs.

Famous varieties of bottled wines in Greece: Alpha, Vivlia Xora, Amethistos, Xadzimikhalis, Gerovasiliou, Moskhofilero Boutari, exquisite Ovilos, you can try Theotoki from local wines.

Retsina drink, original in taste, is made from white wine, which is infused in a barrel coated with pine resin, which gives the drink such an unusual taste. Try it – you won’t regret it.

Beer is also brewed in Greece. Fans of this foamy drink should try such brands as Mythos, Fix and Alpha. In Corfu, you can try the local beer, which is made at the factory in the village of Acharavi – Corfu Beer – light beer or dark, unrefined. Corfiot beer – without preservatives, with a short shelf life.

Moving on to stronger drinks, it is worth mentioning Metaxa – excellent Greek cognac and of course “ouzo” – aniseed vodka, quite strong, but drinking unusually easily. It can be diluted with water (it becomes milky white) or just add ice. The strongest drink is “tsipouro”, local grape vodka.