The Greek Orthodox Christmas is an observance of faith and comes after a period of 40 days fasting. It's a more solemn affair than our Christmas and there aren't so many gaudy displays or Christmas lights. Visitors come on Greece holidays at this time to sample the delicious traditional Greek Christmas food.
For weeks before Christmas, women throughout Greece have been busy making the traditional Christmas cookies, which are a huge favourite with tourists from Aquis Hotels. Melomakarona is one of the most famous of these pastries. Traditional Christmas spices of cinnamon, cloves and oranges are used for flavouring, before they are dipped in sugar syrup after baking and dipped in mixed nuts.
The women are up early on Christmas Day preparing all the Christmas dishes. Pork has always been the meat of choice in Greece as the slaughtering of the family pig always occurred in the winter. This meat used to last the family over the Christmas period with roast pork on Christmas day and sausages and stews for the rest of the time.
Christopsomo, a very traditional Greek bread and elaborately decorated is baked on Christmas Eve and a large cross cut into the top. Before the main meal, the man of the house makes the sign of the cross above the bread, cuts it and passes a slice to everyone at the table.
You might be lucky enough to have a slice of the traditional New Year cake called Vasilopita if staying at Aquis hotels on New Year's Day. The origins of the cake come from the legend of St Basil who used to get the women at his church to bake a cake with coins inside. There is always a coin in the cake to this day and good luck is assured to the person lucky enough to have it in their slice throughout the coming year.
For weeks before Christmas, women throughout Greece have been busy making the traditional Christmas cookies, which are a huge favourite with tourists from Aquis Hotels. Melomakarona is one of the most famous of these pastries. Traditional Christmas spices of cinnamon, cloves and oranges are used for flavouring, before they are dipped in sugar syrup after baking and dipped in mixed nuts.
The women are up early on Christmas Day preparing all the Christmas dishes. Pork has always been the meat of choice in Greece as the slaughtering of the family pig always occurred in the winter. This meat used to last the family over the Christmas period with roast pork on Christmas day and sausages and stews for the rest of the time.
Christopsomo, a very traditional Greek bread and elaborately decorated is baked on Christmas Eve and a large cross cut into the top. Before the main meal, the man of the house makes the sign of the cross above the bread, cuts it and passes a slice to everyone at the table.
You might be lucky enough to have a slice of the traditional New Year cake called Vasilopita if staying at Aquis hotels on New Year's Day. The origins of the cake come from the legend of St Basil who used to get the women at his church to bake a cake with coins inside. There is always a coin in the cake to this day and good luck is assured to the person lucky enough to have it in their slice throughout the coming year.
About the Author:
Steve Alexander has a good knowledge of Aquis Hotels. For more information and top deals on Greece holidays, visit TravelWasp.com.
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