Greek Food

Greek food comes from Greece, a country in southern Europe surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Greek cooking uses lots of fresh vegetables, olive oil, and herbs. It is part of the Mediterranean diet, which is known for being very healthy. Greek food has been enjoyed for thousands of years, going back to ancient Greece.

Popular Greek Dishes

A Greek salad is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese. Gyros are warm pita bread filled with seasoned meat and a creamy sauce called tzatziki. Moussaka is a baked dish with layers of eggplant, meat, and a creamy topping. Spanakopita is a flaky pastry filled with spinach and cheese.

Greek Ingredients

Olive oil is the most important ingredient in Greek cooking. Greece produces some of the best olive oil in the world. Feta cheese is a salty, crumbly cheese that Greeks put on many dishes. Honey is used in many Greek desserts and has been collected in Greece for thousands of years. Fresh herbs like oregano and mint grow wild on Greek hillsides.

Fun Facts

• Greece produces about 300,000 tons of olive oil every year.
• The ancient Greeks held cooking competitions at their festivals.
• Feta cheese has been made in Greece for over 6,000 years.

Did You Know?

The ancient Greeks were some of the first people to write cookbooks, over 2,000 years ago!