Mezes, more than just Starters
Cyprus Meze
Although in different tavernas, different dishes are served, there is a kind of pattern in it. Olives, taramosalata, hummus and yoghurt are followed by vegetables like eggplants or zucchini. Afterwards small meat or fish dishes are served before whole fish or grills arrive at the table.
As the pattern remains the same, the dishes served depend on the speciality of the taverna as well as the season.
Mezes, More Than Just Food
A lot of food is served and it is not expected that everything is eaten. Cyprus meze is more a social event where people eat in groups, serve each other and enjoy the entertainment.
Dishes, Typically Included In A Cyprus Meze
Taramosalata, is well known especially in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Usually it is one of a lot of dishes in a Cyprus meze and eaten as a dip with bread or vegetables.
Tzatziki is a yoghurt dip which is included in every Cyprus Meze. But it also accompanies souvlaki as a kind of sauce.In Cyprus tzatziki is known as ttalattouri and it includes less garlic but mint. Tzatziki is always served cold.
Hummus, a tahini dip, crushed sesame seeds with olive oil, garlic and lemon.
Halloumi, a traditional white cheese from CyprusTraditionally it is made out of goat's and sheep's milk, nowadays it might also contain some cows' milk. The industrial produced cheese nowadays contains more cows' milk than from sheep and goat.
Eggplants are also known as aubergine or brinjal. Dipped into flour, seasoned with salt and pepper and pan fried in small amount of olive oil they are a part of a typical Cyprus Meze.
Sheftalia, a kind of sausage without skin, caul fat is used instead of sausage casing to wrap the ingredients.More Dishes Included In Cyprus Meze
- Crushed Olives
Crushed olives usually with coriander,garlic and fresh lemon - Pickled Green Olives
Marinated green olives in olive oil and vinegar - Loukanika
Pork sausages soaked in red wine and seasoned with coriander and red pepper - Koupepia
Grape leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice - Lountza
Smoked pork soaked in red wine - Afelia
Pork cubes marinated in red wine and coriander - Stiphado
Beef or rabbit stew with wine, vinegar and onions - Ofto kleftiko
Chunks of lamb cooked in a sealed clay oven - Fried Zucchini
As the name says, but mixed with scrambled eggs and fresh parsley. - Village Salad
Made of cabbage, lettuce, rugola, coriander, celery, spring onions, cucumbers, capers, olives, green peppers and feta cheese. For dressing usually olive oil and lemon juice are used
Photos Of Mezes
9 types of Meze
There are two kinds of Meze in Cyprus, meat and fish. I've had the meat twice. ...
the world of meze
Meze at Efendy
Cooked Arabian meze at Eva's birthday party. Lovely colorful and very good. ;)
tomato cucumber with olives and feta cheese...
at the tiniest restaurant that let you have a taste of starters and then a plate...
Greek sausages, squid, beef stifado, salad, olives, feta cheese, teromosolata, s...
My friends Mary Ann and Chet treated me to a belated birthday meal last night at...
at Boreas
Books About Meze
Talking About Cyprus
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Cyprus, Island of Aphrodite
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Cyprus, although a small country, has a rich cultural heritage which is evident from the huge amount of ancient monuments and places, castles, and forts around the island. The antiquities of Paphos, the Neolithic Settlement of Choirokoitia in additio...
Your Feedback
mulberry wrote...
Thanks for these lenses...they could be really helpful in helping me plan trips (and meals).
Posted December 31, 2008
Jimmie wrote...
One of the best parts of travel is the new foods. This really makes me want to travel to Cyprus!
Posted December 31, 2008
EverythingMouse wrote...
I have great memories of eating meze in Cyprus. I would love to visit again sometime soon and show the country to my children
Posted December 09, 2008
K_Linda wrote...
I love the food from that part of the world, though I had not heard of mezes. Reminds me of Spanish tapas and Rijsttafels, which are actually the Dutch addition to Indonesian food. MMMM...small plates rule. Great lens! 5*'s.
Posted November 18, 2008
JaguarJulie wrote...
I think this sounds like a splendid way to try a lot of things at a time. I believe it was an Indonesian restaurant that had something akin to this type of food service. I've not tried this type yet, but would sure love to after learning more about the foods through your lenses.
Posted November 14, 2008
by pmolinero
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