Traditional Greek Recipes for Lent

This week marks the beginning of the long fasting period of Great Lent in the Orthodox Church, which lasts about 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday (Pascha).  During this time, which is called “Sarakosti ”in Greek, people abstain from animal protein, to include eggs and dairy products, and focus instead on plant-based foods and some shellfish.  Not everyone is able to follow the exact dietary guidelines for this long period, but the majority of people follow some modified fasting guidelines.

Even though this tradition is observed by many for religious reasons, some people fast for spiritual and reasons of self discipline, while others fast for the benefits of a health-reset.  In fasting, many rediscover traditional recipes of the Greek cuisine, which inherently is plant-forward in any case:  fresh seasonal salads, a huge variety of vegetables, bean and grain soups, delicious shellfish, and simple rice or pasta dishes.

I have compiled some of my favorite Traditional Greek Recipes for Lent to share in this post.  They highlight the wealth of Greek vegetarian recipes and practically all of them can become completely vegan if we omit the occasional topping of Feta cheese!

Traditional Greek Recipes for Lent

Greek Sesame Seed Flatbread (Lagána)

Marinated Olive Medley

Greek Spinach and Rice (Spanakorizo)

Greek Potato and Garlic Spread (Skordalia)

Classic Greek Bean Soup (Fasolada)

Greek Orzo in Tomato Sauce (domatorizo)

Roasted Vegetable Medley (Briami)

Easy Pickled Vegetables 

Santorini Fava Spread 

Traditional Greek Chickpea Soup (Revithosoupa)

Delicious Spread with Cured White Fish Roe (Taramosálata)

Stuffed Grape Leaves with Rice and Herbs (Dolmades)

Skillet Roasted Mini Potatoes

Greek Spanakopita with Mixed Greens

Baked Greek “Giant” Beans (Gigantes plaki)

Greek Island Longevity Soup

Greek Orange & Almond Biscotti (Paximadia)

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