What do they eat in Greece for Christmas?

9 Greek Christmas Food Traditions

• 01 of 09. Baklava Recipe. The Spruce.
• 02 of 09. Egg-Lemon-Chicken-Rice Soup. The Spruce.
• 03 of 09. Yiaprakia Stuffed Cabbage.
• 04 of 09. Christopsomo Bread.
• 05 of 09. Pork Recipes.
• 06 of 09. Melomakarona Cookies.
• 07 of 09. Kourabiethes Cookies.
• 08 of 09. Karythopita Walnut Spice Cake.

What are Christmas traditions in Greece?

On Christmas Eve, children, especially boys, often go out singing ‘kalanda’ (carols) in the streets. They play drums and triangles as they sing. Sometimes they will also carry model boats decorated with nuts which are painted gold.

What foods are traditionally eaten in Greece?

Don’t leave Greece without trying…

• Taramasalata. A mainstay of any Greek meal are classic dips such as tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber and garlic),melitzanosalata (aubergine), and fava (creamy split pea purée).
• Olives and olive oil.
• Dolmades.
• Moussaka.
• Grilled meat.
• Fresh fish.
• Courgette balls (kolokythokeftedes)
• Octopus.

What do they call Santa in Greece?

Ayios Vassileios
The Greek Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassileios” in Greek. He is like the father of Christmas; also an old man with a white beard, who is wearing a red cape.

Do they celebrate Christmas in Greece?

Christmas celebrations in Greece officially last for 14 days, starting on Christmas Eve and ending on Epiphany (6 January) with the ‘Great Blessing of Water’. Following the Gregorian calendar, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December.

What do Greeks celebrate in December?

Christmas
Christougena, which in Greek means Christmas, is celebrated on the 25th December and is a time when families come together to celebrate. Greece has it’s own version of Santa Claus, they call him Saint Vasilis, who comes to their home on Christmas eve to deliver a few small gifts to the children.

How does Greece say Merry Christmas?

Christmas Greetings in Greece The Greek word for Christmas is Christougena or Christougenna, literally meaning “Christ’s birth.” When Greeks say “Merry Christmas,” they say, “Kala Christougena.” The apparent g sound is pronounced like a y.

What should I avoid in Greece?

10 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Greece, Ever

• Show too much skin when visiting a church.
• Rely only on credit cards.
• Take a passive-aggressive attitude with smokers.
• Take photos of military installations.
• Throw paper in the toilet.
• Eat or drink in the metro in Athens.
• Do the moutza.

What is Father Christmas in Greek?

The Greek Santa Claus is known as “Ayios Vassileios” in Greek. He is like the father of Christmas; also an old man with a white beard, who is wearing a red cape. He is kind, cheerful and smiling and his purpose is to bring joy to children, by giving them gifts.

What does Kalo Pascha mean?

Happy Easter
Simply put, Kalo Pascha means “Happy Easter.” Literally translated, it means “Good Easter” but the accurate translate from Greek to English is that it means “Happy Easter.” Kalo is the Greek word for Good and Pascha is the Greek word for Easter. It is written out in Greek like this: Καλό Πάσχα.

What is Christmas like in Greece?

Christmas, like many other holidays in Greece, is a time for feasting. In the past years, Christmas turkey has become very popular as the main dish of the holiday. Traditionally, the main course of Christmas dinner in Greece is roast pork, with a variety of side delicacies.

What is traditional Greek Christmas dinner?

Traditionally, the main course of Christmas dinner in Greece is roast pork, with a variety of side delicacies. No matter what the main dish is, one thing is certain: Christmas food in Greece is delicious! Melomakarona and kourabiedes are the two varieties of Christmas and New Year’s cookies in Greece.

What are some traditional dishes in Greece?

Some common traditional Greek dishes include stuffed peppers or grape leaves, spit-roasted meat, and spinach pie. A popular dish that is thought to have roots in Greece is lentil soup. Traditional Greek lentil soup is also called fakes, which is pronounced FAH-kehs.

What are the ingredients in Christmas cookies?

Ingredients 1 package (16 ounces) Refrigerated (read to bake) sugar cookies (OR you can use already baked sugar cookies from a bakery or your favorite recipe!)* 1 bag white chocolate chips 2 tablespoons shortening, optional 1/3 cup crushed candy canes