People choose to visit Greece – the oldest city in the world – for many reasons including its Mediterranean climate, rich cultural history (it is home to many key historical monuments), its many idyllic and post-volcanic beaches (with respective white, red and black pebbles and sediment), relaxing thermospring waters and the country’s unrivalled nightlife. Another very good reason for people to visit Greece is to tantalize their taste buds with the delicious food which is on offer there.

Certain Greek dishes (or at least; a number of Greek-influenced dishes) may be available to buy from your local supermarket and a number of restaurants may claim to specialize in such cuisine but to experience the truly authentic taste of Greece, one must go directly to the source.

Should you ever happen to take a holiday in Greece, these are the five dishes you simply must try:

Moussaka

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Moussaka – a dish comprising aubergine (AKA eggplant), potatoes and meat – may not have originated from Greece (there is debate to whether it stemmed from the Mediterranean or Middle East where the dish is served in the form of a salad) but the Greek version of the dish is definitely the best known variety.  This variety is traditionally made with three layers; the ground layer is sautéed slices of aubergine whilst the middle is lamb mince cooked with chopped vine-ripened tomatoes, onion, garlic, herbs and spices which is then topped with béchamel sauce or an egg custard, depending on the chef’s/diner’s preference.

Moussaka is usually served warm – often with a side salad – to allow the flavours in the dish to really come through.

Strapatsada

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Strapatsada (also known as ‘strapatso’) is a dish that is often eaten across all regions of Greece for lunch or as a light snack. The dish is popular due to its simple preparation method and low cost ingredients. Chopped tomatoes and olive oil are cooked in a frying pan to create a thick sauce and then beaten eggs are slowly added to the pan to create strapatsada, to which feta cheese and herbs such as oregano and thyme can also then be added to taste. And you thought standard scrambled eggs were good!

The dish can be served both hot and cold (depending on preference) and can be found in many Greek cafes and restaurants during the summer months, for this is when Greece’s tomato crops flourish.

Loukoumades

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Also known as “Greek honey dumplings”, this dessert comprises balls of dough which are flash fried to become crispy and golden brown on the outside, whilst remaining light and fluffy on the inside. Although there are several cuisines globally which have desserts containing fried dough, the Greek variant sees these balls spiced with cinnamon and lightly dusted with icing sugar once cooked.

The Greek often serve these delicious dough balls warm with a drizzle of honey and an optional dollop of natural Greek yogurt (a famed accompaniment for honey) on the side. Loukoumades are sold to locals and tourists from more than a handful of street stalls, sweet shops and restaurants dotted around the country.

Fasolada

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Often referred to as the “national food of the Greeks”, fasolada is a hearty, meat-free soup dish which is made from stewed white and/or lima beans, olive oil and a selection of vegetables. Typical ingredients of this nutrition-rich and healthy meal include plum tomatoes, carrots, onion, celery, bay leaf and parsley but the dish is such a staple in the Greek diet that many different recipes for it exist across the islands.  The soup’s high bean content means it is a thicker broth than many other soups making it filling. Many also like to add a sprinkle of feta cheese to the surface of this soup.

Fasolada is often served hot with crusty bread during the winter and on occasion; cold during the warmer months. There are Brazilian and Italian versions of the dish but each of these is typically not suitable for vegetarians.

Souvlaki

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Whilst exploring a new country, sometimes it can be hard not to give into the tempting accessibility of fast food. If a quick but tasty meal is required whilst on holiday in Greece, you are sure to find somewhere the sells souvlaki – typically lamb meat and chopped vegetables grilled on a skewer (though chicken and pork variants are sold for those tourists less familiar with lamb) – close by.

Souvlaki can be served straight from the skewer on which it is cooked, wrapped in pita bread with garnishes and sauces added and/or with a side helping of chips. Yes, this dish is basically a kebab but when cooked in the traditional manner, Mediterranean flavors are sure to dance across the tongue instead of merely serving the purpose of filling in a hunger hole temporarily.

The author of this guest post – Ella McKenzie – tried all five of these dishes whilst on a luxury villa holiday to Greece that she booked with Simpsons Travel. She would recommend them to anyone planning on taking Crete holidays.