The Cretan cuisine may include a fair amount of meat-based dishes, but do not forget that the heart of Greek food lies on its greens. Hundreds of cultivated herbs and wild greens, such as stamnagathi, form the backbone of the Mediterranean diet.
After all, Cretans always had access to vegetables, even during wars or periods of crisis. And you can see how Greeks have made vegetarian dishes part of their life. For example, more than 180 days per year, Orthodox Greeks abstain from eating meat or meat-based products.
Traditionally, the most significant period without meat consumption is the Christian Lent. It is a 40-day period when Christians cleanse body and soul in preparation for Easter. And along with bad words and thoughts, they are encouraged to consciously avoid meat.
And here comes the ingenuity and flexibility of the Greek people. They have managed to create vegetable-based dishes that make even meat lovers have second thoughts. In other words, Cretan vegetarian food can make you forget about meat in no time.
Here is a list of some of the best Cretan vegetarian dishes you have to try on the island. And if your next trip to Crete is a bit further away, why not try to replicate any of the recipes here?
What Can Vegetarians Eat in Crete?
Dakos