You know how in most of the western world there's a build up to Christmas that starts in early November (or late September if you're in England) and then Christmas happens, and new year happens and then everything returns to normal a couple of days later? Well, in Greece, it's the opposite. People start thinking "Christmas" sometime in December, then Christmas happens and it's invariably very low key, and then things really take off as everybody starts preparing for the new year celebrations - which go on throughout January. It's really quite amazing. Every day there seems to be another gathering at a friend's or relative's house, where we eat a lot, drink moderately and cut another new year cake. Here's a selection of the ones we've cut so far. Neither myself nor hubby have been lucky enough to find the coin in our pieces, but we've not given up yet.
There has been lots more cakes too. Christmassy melomakarona & kourabiedes...
Traditional baklava...
And of course scrumptious chocolate-covered tsoureki (brioche-type bread).
As if cakes aren't enough, food has been plentiful too. I have tried my best to resist, but what can I say? It's not easy.
This pork stew and pasta cooked in a clay pot gets my "tastiest dish ever" award.
In an attempt to shift the 2 kilos we've put on, this evening we went for a wander round town, even though it was raining. We even had a whirl at the skating rink. Not sure if it was enough in terms of exercise (I suspect not), but at least we didn't do what we did every other day of this holiday so far, that is, sit by the fire and stuff our faces with delicious food and cakes.
Tomorrow is another day - and another opportunity to try our luck with another new year cake!
This pork stew and pasta cooked in a clay pot gets my "tastiest dish ever" award.
8 comments:
Oh WOW!!! The cakes not only look lovely I'm drooling already. Absolutely eye-catching makes me wanna grab a piece there.
What a great celebration day there Tinsie :D
Oh Shionge, it's grabbing a piece every single time that is my downfall ;-)
are you up in the north or somewhere more central? definitely not an island...
Those cakes look scrummy! I will have to console myself with a slice or 2 of stollen!
What a great tradition! I'm over here in the rain, suffering with post-Christmas blues, and you're up to your elbows in CAKE! I love it.
That little guy is adorable, by the way. I hope he finds a coin!
@ Mediterranean Kiwi: No, not an island. Somewhere in the Peloponnese...
@ Loops: I'm sure you'll be fine ;-)
@ Karen: Well, it's a hard life, but someone's got to live it, eh?
The little guy's too young to care for the coin, but he'll definitely be into it by next Christmas.
BTW I overheard a mum in the street telling her two little girls off: "if you don't start behaving, there will be no cake tonight and you know what that means - NO COIN for either of you!". The little ones looked suitably horrified. Hehe :-D
I need some cake-based threats over here...I tried it with ice cream last night, but nobody cared b/c it was freeeeeezing out.
Yes, I can see how ice-cream isn't flavour of the day when it's so cold outdoors.
Perhaps you could hide a charm in the tub? Tell them whoever finds it will have 12 months of good marks at school without studying. Tell them it's an ancient Greek custom ;-)
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