We’ve all heard of appetizers and starters, but where exactly does Greek Meze fit into this picture? Join Italica Olive Oils as we explore the flavorful world of Greek Meze and look at how you can serve this classic Mediterranean delicacy in your own home.
What is Greek Meze?
If you’ve ever been to Greece or visited a Greek restaurant, you’ve probably seen the word ‘meze’ on the menu. Derived from the Turkish word for relish, a traditional Greek meze consists of a series of small dishes served as an aperitif before a main meal or as a side to accompany a drink. Similar to Spanish tapas, a Meze board can consist of just about anything, as the term refers to the size of the dishes rather than the contents.
Greek Meze vs. Turkish Mezze
As with many dishes in the Mediterranean, the precise origin of meze is difficult to pin down. One obvious difference between the Greek and Turkish variations is in the spelling. In Greece, meze tends to be spelled with one ‘Z’, while in Turkey, two ‘Z’s’ are used. In terms of the contents, there is a lot of overlap, with similar ingredients used in both cuisines.
Making Authentic Greek Meze
In our homage to Greek cuisine, we’ve elected to go for the classics. No doubt, you’ll already be familiar with many of these dishes, but have you ever gathered them together on one board? If not, you’re in for a treat. To make these dishes, you’ll need to stock up on the following ingredients:
- Pita bread
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Kalamata olives
- Spinach
- Feta Cheese
- Herbs: oregano, thyme, dill, mint
- Spinach
- Unsweetened Greek Yogurt
- Cucumber
Tzatziki
Let’s begin with a classic. To make Greek Tzatziki, you’ll need, yogurt, cucumber, salt, crushed garlic, and mint leaves.
- Peel and grate the cucumber, and add to a bowl. Sprinkle it with salt and drain in a sieve to remove excess liquid.
- Add yogurt and mix.
- Sprinkle with mint leaves, and top with extra virgin olive oil.
Important: Make sure you have plenty of bread on the table. Tzatziki is a dip that’s typically served with freshly baked pita bread.
Kalamata Olives
A defining ingredient of Greek cuisine, Kalamata olives are bitter to the taste and make for an excellent accompaniment to wine and stronger-tasting drinks like ouzo and tsipouro.
Feta Cheese
No meze would be complete without a serving of feta cheese. Garnish feta with extra virgin olive oil and oregano, and serve it in cubes with cocktail sticks. Alternatively, shallow fry it in olive oil in a small pan until it begins to melt on the surface, then top with extra virgin olive oil and herbs.
Feta Stuffed Roasted Peppers
For our Greek meze, we recommend using long shishito peppers. Mild in flavor, they provide the perfect counterpoint to the crumbly feta stuffing.
- Slice peppers down the middle and remove seeds.
- In a bowl, add crumbled feta, basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Roast at 390°F for 20 minutes.
Spanakopita
A classic Greek comfort food, spanakopita consists of spinach mixed with feta cheese and olive oil, wrapped in pastry, and baked in the oven. One of the mainstays of home cooking in Greece, no meze menu would be complete without a generous serving of spanakopita.
Drinks to Serve with Greek Meze
If you’re looking to make your Greek meze the ultimate Mediterranean dining experience, we recommend serving it with ouzo or tsipouro. However, these strong-tasting drinks aren’t for everyone, so here are a few viable alternatives.
- Red or white wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Mint tea
- Pomegranate Juice
- Infusions
Now that you’ve got plenty of inspiration, why not invite some friends over to share it with? Food is at the heart of Mediterranean culture and is best enjoyed in the company of those you love. What’s more, using Spanish olive oil to prepare Greek meze is a great way to elevate the flavor and quality of your culinary creations.
