Explore the culinary philosophy behind food in Crete

Cretan gastronomy is an important, rich part of Greek cuisine. This is due to Crete’s strong productive power, which makes it a place that supplies all regions of Greece with a wealth of raw materials. However, it is also due to the special philosophy that Crete promotes through the homemade cuisine of everyday life. Download now a selection of free Cretan recipes! 

The philosophy of Cretan cooking can be summed up as follows: how to cook delicious recipes using as few ingredients as possible. Food in Crete relies on a few local ingredients, minimal cooking preparations, and distinct flavors. Cretan cooking techniques and culinary philosophy are fascinating and deeply rooted in tradition. Here’s a deeper dive into these aspects!

 

 

What makes food in Crete so special?

 

1. Cooking Pies in a Pan

Unlike many pies from different regions of Greece baked in an oven, the majority of pies in Crete are cooked in a pan. This technique gives them a crispy texture and a creamy filling that melts in your mouth. The pan-cooking method is deeply rooted in Cretan culinary tradition.

It reflects the island’s history of resourcefulness and the need to create delicious meals with limited equipment. This cooking style also allows for quick preparation, perfect for satisfying hungry families or unexpected guests- a common occurrence in the famously hospitable Cretan culture.

 

 

Food in Crete relies on minimal cooking preparations and distinct flavors.

2. Slow cooking Procedures

Many traditional Cretan dishes involve slow cooking methods. Food in Crete relies on minimal cooking preparations and distinct flavors. Many stews (like “tsigariasto“) are cooked slowly allowing flavors to develop and meat to become tender.

“Ofto” or “antikristo” is a traditional slow-roasting method where meat (usually lamb or goat) is cooked for hours next to, not over, an open fire.

 

3. Smart Use of Ingredients

Cretan cooking makes smart use of a few ingredients. Fewer ingredients mean more flavor and that is the philosophy behind the real food in Crete. Use just a few simple ingredients to cook several different Cretan dishes. Cretan cuisine prompts you to cook simply, making cooking easier for you. And that means both convenience and minimal preparation.

Wild greens (horta) are foraged and used extensively, showcasing resourcefulness. Vine leaves (from Cretan grapes) are used for dolmades stuffed with rice and aromatic wild herbs utilizing a by-product of wine production. Cretans practice “nose-to-tail” eating, using every part of an animal.

 

4. Minimal Use of Simple Ingredients

Cretan cuisine is a humble cuisine first and foremost. It’s uncomplicated, it’s got nothing fancy or superfluous, and it promises a pure flavor approach to every dish so that you can understand every ingredient you taste. In this way, you appreciate each ingredient for the rich flavor it offers you.

The Cretan culinary philosophy is based on the idea that a few high-quality ingredients can create exceptional dishes. For example, a classic food in Crete is the Cretan dakos salad which is made with just a few ingredients: Cretan rusk (paximadi), freshly grated tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh mizithra cheese.

 

5. Preservation Techniques

• Sun-drying is used for tomatoes, grapes, figs, herbs, and wheat grains (trachanas). 
• Olives are cured in various ways, including in salt or brine.
• Meat is often preserved through smoking (like apaki) or salting. Apaki is a traditional Cretan cured pork, smoked with herbs.

 

6. Outdoor Cooking

Many traditional dishes are cooked outdoors, either over an open fire or in outdoor ovens. This includes dishes like “ofto” lamb and “antikristo” meat (usually made out of lamb or goat). “Antikristo” meat is a flagship food in Crete.

This ancient method of roasting meat around an open fire has its secrets. And it’s probably the healthiest one! The fat melts slowly so the meat does not dry out. In this way, you get to taste the real flavor of lean meat roasted evenly.

But how “antikristo” is prepared? Large pieces of meat in sharp roasting spits are placed opposite one another. They are roasting slowly around a wood fire for 4-5 hours. Forget about forks and knives, use your fingers instead because that’s the best way to taste “antikristo”.

 

7. Use of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Greece is the 3rd largest producer of olive oil worldwide. Crete is a key player regarding olive oil products and the varieties of olives (koroneiki, tsounati, chondrolia). Tsounati and chondrolia are both Cretan olive varieties. Crete’s fertile soil and the cultivation-harvesting-pressing-preservation methods produce extra virgin olive oil of incomparable quality and taste.

Olive oil is used not just for cooking, but as a flavoring agent added to dishes after cooking. It’s common to drizzle dishes with raw olive oil just before serving. When it comes to cooking, extra virgin olive oil along with salt, pepper, and oregano (or thyme) is the classic marinade for roast or grilled meat and vegetables. 

Extra virgin olive oil is an olive oil of the lowest acidity (not more than 0,8 grams), high in polyphenols (antioxidant properties) with rich, spicy aromas.

 

8. Herb Infusions

Crete counts more than 1.600 different kinds of plants and wild herbs and almost 170 of them are endemic, which means that they grow only in Crete. And that’s the purest natural food for goats and sheep grazing freely on the mountains. Therefore, Cretans have become excellent in livestock activities, especially when it comes to the making of cheese. 

Cretan cooking is about simplicity. Wild herbs are important to provide taste along with extra virgin olive oil. Oregano, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and fennel give distinct aromas in cooking. Herbs are often used to infuse olive oil, vinegar, or honey creating flavored condiments. Cretan honey often flavored with thyme is renowned for its quality and is used in many desserts or as a natural sweetener.

They are also used to make traditional herbal teas (vrastari) that offer medical properties stimulating the immune system.  A cup of tea made from Cretan wild herbs (malotira, fliskouni, dittany, sage, marjoram) with a teaspoon of Cretan honey is part of the veritable local breakfast. 

Dittany and malotira are both endemic aromatic plants that can be found only in Crete. Malotira is known as the mountain tea of Crete because it grows at an altitude of up to 900m. 

 

9. Seasonal Cooking

Cretan cuisine relies on seasonality and fresh ingredients. Vegetables and greens form the basis of Cretan cooking. These nutrient-packed greens find their way into pies, stews, and salads. Fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves add depth to dishes. There are lots of foods for you to taste if you follow a vegetarian-based diet.  

Cretan cuisine typically follows the seasons and the products nature offers each season. Fresh vegetables, wild greens (horta), and wild herbs are the basis for many recipes. Let alone that in Crete, you don’t even have to look for a specialized veggie restaurant!

 

 

Food in Crete is an integral part of the culture and everyday life.

 

10. Minimal Processing

Most ingredients are used in their whole, minimally processed form. For instance, whole grains are preferred over refined ones. The culinary approach, focusing on simple, high-quality local ingredients and traditional cooking methods, contributes to the renowned healthiness and delicious taste of Cretan cuisine.

It’s a philosophy that values sustainability, resourcefulness, and connection to the land, which could be very appealing to travelers interested in experiencing authentic, local food experiences. Food in Crete is not just about unique dishes and flavors. It is part of the culture and everyday life.

 

 

 

Connect with the real food in Crete

Learn how to cook the Cretan way from scratch! Get your digital recipe guide to cook 50+ easy, homemade recipes of the daily Cretan cuisine. The Cretan cookbook is a digital recipe guide to use on your smartphone, tablet, and laptop easily. Food in Crete is an integral part of social life. Bring the real tastes of Crete to your table and share them with your loved ones.

Download now your free Cretan recipes! Happy cooking!