Fish meze in Cyprus. Delicious fish and seafood dishes

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Cyprus does not accidentally attract a large number of tourists from around the world. This third largest island in the Mediterranean is rich in historical traditions and unique natural landscapes.

Amazing Cyprus

Many rightly call it a gem. After all, here is the warmest sea, the longest summer and amazing national cuisine. But the real treasure of the Cypriot culinary culture is fish meze. It is served here both in a fashionable restaurant and in a small tavern on the seashore. Many tourists, having found themselves in this paradise for the first time, mistakenly believe that mezedes is a separate dish. But, having got used to it a little, the guests realize that under the unusually sonorous name there is a surprise for gourmets - a special menu that includes several courses.

A bit of history

Connoisseurs say that this style of dinner was invented by the Greeks in antiquity. It is noteworthy that fish meze is still loved in Cyprus more than meat meze. And this is understandable: the Mediterranean Sea has always been famous for its gifts.

Scientists have tried more than once to unravel the phenomenon of this culinary peculiarity of the Cypriots. Some have expressedthe opinion that the meze came to the island from the Arab countries and was firmly integrated into the local life. Others speak with confidence about the local origin of this custom. But, despite the disagreements of authoritative people, fish meze in Cyprus has become a culinary symbol.

Culinary Attraction Features

Modern mezedes is more like a full meal, smoothly flowing into dinner. As already mentioned, the menu can include 5-6 courses, and sometimes this number reaches twenty. There are no strict regulations here, so free style reigns. Each institution has its own "repertoire". The owner of a tavern or a restaurant tries to surprise the guests, and everything that he has, little by little, appears on the table. Tourists are happy to use the chance to taste seafood in such an unusual performance as meze. As a rule, this small culinary performance lasts several hours.

But in a friendly company there is no time flight, and a comfortable atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy communication. The cost of such a rich menu is also pleasantly surprising: usually it does not exceed 20 euros per person. What can I say - quite a democratic price, especially if you take into account the abundance of food. You need to eat fish meze slowly, feeling the taste of each piece. This custom fully reflects the basic principle of living on the island: "siga-siga" (or quietly-quietly).

Traditional products and exclusive features

Most often during the tourist season in all establishmentsoffer guests a standard menu. It necessarily includes local sauces, vegetable appetizers, cheeses and, of course, fish and seafood, that is, without which it is impossible to prepare a full-fledged meze. An obligatory component of the menu is bread of different types. It can be a flat cake - pita bread, croutons or white bread. Without dessert, too, the picture will be incomplete. Usually seasonal fruits are served, which are in abundance in Cyprus. Different establishments may have their own characteristics, but everywhere seafood takes center stage on the table.

It can be fried fish or soufflé, battered squid or shrimp, deep-fried squid or sea urchin caviar. The Mediterranean Sea is rich in gifts! The final chord of the whole meal will be strong Cypriot coffee. The elegant taste of this drink will complement a well-played symphony.

To all that has been said, I would also like to add that the Cypriot meze is especially popular during Lent. For the locals, it is a common daily food. Cypriots are very proud that the culinary tradition, born among the common people, has become the property of the island.

For exotic lovers

Every tourist is an explorer to some extent. He studies with interest the sights, monuments of architecture and the peculiarities of the national cuisine of the place in which he ended up by fate. Those who come to Cyprus have an amazing opportunity to feel and appreciate the unique flavor of the local cuisine. Real gourmets on the island have a place to roam: you can relax in a chica restaurant at an elite hotel, or you can pass the time in a modest establishment far from tourist parties. In a calm environment, you want to relax and taste something unusual, exotic.

Only in a tavern by the sea you will be offered excellent quality fish meze. The owners of such establishments try to attract customers with fresh products. Therefore, the catch of local fishermen migrates directly from the nets to the cuisine of coastal taverns. The owners of such establishments include fresh mussels in the meze. This delicacy is very he althy and tasty. Many gourmet dishes are prepared from mussels on the island. It is customary to serve clams here with or without a shell, make stews from them, and also include them in various salads. All this culinary splendor, of course, inspires any traveler at first, but then the question arises: how to cope with exotic food at the table so as not to become an object of ridicule. Let's try to figure out how to eat mussels correctly so that you can safely enjoy their excellent taste.

Mussels in shells

When a shellfish is cooked in a shell and the taster comes face to face with such an exotic thing for the first time, he is often overcome with doubts about the edible qualities of the inner contents. Some deprive themselves of a valuable product, fearing clumsy actions when opening the shell, and refuse to experiment. Others, out of ignorance, remove, in their opinion, unnecessary elements of the finished mollusk. In a word, everyone does as he sees fit. In reality inmussels, with the exception of the shell itself, everything is edible. They can be baked in the oven, boiled, but, regardless of the method of preparation, they are very he althy and taste good. Of course, the product must be fresh and of excellent quality.

When extracting clam meat from a shell, a fork is allowed. The second etiquette option is to use one of the shell doors as a handy tool.

Tasting Rules

Often a person who finds himself in a restaurant finds himself in a difficult situation, not knowing how to handle exotic food. For this reason, an amazingly tasty dish can remain untouched until the end of the evening. The situation described is observed when fish and seafood, and especially shellfish, are on the table. First you should check the availability of the necessary appliances for such an unusual meal. There should be special tongs and an oyster fork on the table. The first item is needed to fix the mussel on the plate, and the second item is needed to remove the mussel from the shell.

In the case when the clams are served on the wings, it is allowed to eat them without the use of special utensils. This is done as follows: one half of the shell with meat is placed in one hand, flavored with sauce and sent gently into the mouth. On the table must be dishes with a slice of lemon and a towel. These attributes are necessary for rinsing fingers.

Conclusion

Knowing how to eat mussels, and what to do after a meal, you canFeel free to go to a restaurant. True, today they are more often served on a dish or in a more extravagant form - strung on skewers.

Seafood has a unique taste and he alth benefits. Therefore, when they are on the table, it is always a holiday for real gourmets.