Savoring Samos: 10 Traditional Recipes You Need to Try

Samos, a picturesque island in the eastern Aegean Sea, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and, of course, its delicious cuisine. With a blend of fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods, Samos offers a range of dishes that reflect its cultural heritage. Here are ten traditional recipes you need to try to savor the taste of Samos.

1. Samos Wine (Samos Vin Santo)

Ingredients:

• Sun-dried Muscat grapes
• Yeast
Read moreShrimp Saganaki
• Sugar
• Water

Instructions:

1. Crush the dried Muscat grapes and mix them with a little water and yeast in a fermentation vessel.
2. Allow the mixture to ferment for 3-5 days, stirring daily.
3. Strain the liquid, add sugar, and transfer it to a glass container.
4. Seal and let it age for at least 6 months before enjoying.

2. Samos Salad (Horiatiki Salata)

Ingredients:

• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Olives (Kalamata preferred)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Oregano

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and bell peppers.
2. Add feta cheese and olives.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, and oregano, then toss gently to combine.

3. Simos (Bean Soup)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white beans, soaked overnight
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Bay leaves

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
2. Add carrots and soaked beans, then cover with water and bring to a boil.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes and bay leaves, reduce heat, and simmer for 1-2 hours until beans are tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

4. Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

Ingredients:

• 1 pack phyllo pastry
• 500g spinach, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 200g feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 eggs
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Sauté the onion in a bit of olive oil until soft, then add spinach. Cook until wilted and then let cool.
3. Mix spinach, feta, eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Layer several sheets of phyllo in a baking dish, brushing each with olive oil.
5. Spread the filling and fold over the pastry. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden.

5. Moussaka (Layered Eggplant Dish)

Ingredients:

• 2 eggplants, sliced
• 500g minced meat (beef or lamb)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups béchamel sauce
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, then add meat and brown.
3. Layer eggplant slices, meat mixture, and béchamel in a baking dish.
4. Bake for 45 minutes until set and golden on top.

6. Samos Pies (Kalitsounia)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 100g butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 cup cheese (feta or ricotta)
• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley)
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, butter, and egg in a bowl to form a dough.
2. Roll out and cut into circles. Combine cheese and herbs in a separate bowl.
3. Place mixture on one half of the circle and fold over, sealing the edges.
4. Brush with olive oil and bake at 180°C (350°F) until golden.

7. Sardines Souvlaki

Ingredients:

• Fresh sardines, cleaned
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Skewers

Instructions:

1. Marinate sardines in olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes.
2. Skewer sardines and grill for 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked.
3. Serve hot with a lemon wedge.

8. Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas)

Ingredients:

• 1 jar grape leaves, rinsed
• 1 cup rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup pine nuts
• Fresh herbs (dill, mint)
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and pine nuts in olive oil, then add rice and herbs.
2. Spoon filling onto grape leaves, fold, and place in a pot.
3. Add water and lemon juice, cook covered for about 30 minutes.

9. Samos Shrimp Orzo (Kritharotto)

Ingredients:

• 200g orzo pasta
• 300g shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• Olive oil
• Parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add shrimp and cook through.
2. Stir in orzo, add broth, and cook until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes.
3. Garnish with parsley before serving.

10. Baklava

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of phyllo pastry
• 200g chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios)
• 100g melted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Layer phyllo sheets in a baking dish, brushing each with butter and sprinkling nuts and cinnamon in between layers.
3. Cut into diamond shapes and bake for 45 minutes until golden.
4. Boil water and sugar to make syrup, then pour over hot baklava and drizzle with honey.

Conclusion

Savoring the flavors of Samos through these traditional recipes brings the island’s essence right into your kitchen. Gather family and friends, and enjoy these culinary delights inspired by the beautiful island of Samos!