FAVA BEANS, TOMATOES AND DRY WHITE WINES ... love these three items? You are in luck! Santorini is known for these three local specialties and they are amazing.
First, the fava beans. The SANTORINI (not just Greek, but particularly Santorini) fava beans are pretty famous. The EU actually even gives them PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status. They're readily available as appetizers and even main courses in most of the restaurants I visited. Santorini is very dry and arid, making the soil extremely unique and difficult for growing. The fava beans that result from this soil are often described as richer, creamier and sweeter than normal fava beans. They're soft and yellow in color. So, yeah, they are delicious and for someone, like me, trying to follow the vegan lifestyle, they are a veritable powerhouse of deliciousness and nutrition.
To make the traditional fava beans, you prepare them according to the directions on the box (boil them in water usually or vegetable broth) and then mash them into a creamy paste, adding chopped onions, capers, lemon, and olive oil. I liked adding rosemary and some of Santorini's famous tomatoes, as well.
Now, the tomatoes! Santorini tomatoes are also unique in that this type of tomato grows only in Santorini. They are teeny tiny little tomatoes. Many say the particular flavor comes from Santorini's volcanic soil and the tomatoes sure are tasty little suckers! If you get a chance, try "omatokaftedes," which uses tomatoes soaked in oil with a blend of native Santorini herbs. Source: www.greeka.com
Finally, the dry white wines. If you spend more than a day in Santorini, you must make a tour of the wineries part of your trip so you can learn all about the amazing way they grow grapes in this dry soil with NO IRRIGATION and, of course, sample as many local wines as possible. I love dry whites and these were amazing. I was grief stricken when I was told customs would only only allow me to pack two bottles to take home. This site has a great rundown of the wines in Santorini: www.winesfromsantorini.com/grapes.html
Post script: I got stopped by security in the airport during my layover in Paris and they removed jars of capers, tomatoes and fava beans, along with two bottles of white wine, from my luggage for inspection. Thank God the French understand the importance of food. They waved me through and wished me happy eating and drinking!
First, the fava beans. The SANTORINI (not just Greek, but particularly Santorini) fava beans are pretty famous. The EU actually even gives them PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status. They're readily available as appetizers and even main courses in most of the restaurants I visited. Santorini is very dry and arid, making the soil extremely unique and difficult for growing. The fava beans that result from this soil are often described as richer, creamier and sweeter than normal fava beans. They're soft and yellow in color. So, yeah, they are delicious and for someone, like me, trying to follow the vegan lifestyle, they are a veritable powerhouse of deliciousness and nutrition.
To make the traditional fava beans, you prepare them according to the directions on the box (boil them in water usually or vegetable broth) and then mash them into a creamy paste, adding chopped onions, capers, lemon, and olive oil. I liked adding rosemary and some of Santorini's famous tomatoes, as well.
Now, the tomatoes! Santorini tomatoes are also unique in that this type of tomato grows only in Santorini. They are teeny tiny little tomatoes. Many say the particular flavor comes from Santorini's volcanic soil and the tomatoes sure are tasty little suckers! If you get a chance, try "omatokaftedes," which uses tomatoes soaked in oil with a blend of native Santorini herbs. Source: www.greeka.com
Finally, the dry white wines. If you spend more than a day in Santorini, you must make a tour of the wineries part of your trip so you can learn all about the amazing way they grow grapes in this dry soil with NO IRRIGATION and, of course, sample as many local wines as possible. I love dry whites and these were amazing. I was grief stricken when I was told customs would only only allow me to pack two bottles to take home. This site has a great rundown of the wines in Santorini: www.winesfromsantorini.com/grapes.html
Post script: I got stopped by security in the airport during my layover in Paris and they removed jars of capers, tomatoes and fava beans, along with two bottles of white wine, from my luggage for inspection. Thank God the French understand the importance of food. They waved me through and wished me happy eating and drinking!
RSS Feed
