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September's Recipe:
Garides, Kritharaki, Tomata
(Shrimp with Orzo & Tomato)
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Ingredients:
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- 16 U-15 shrimp, peeled
- Kosher salt & black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups orzo
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
- 3 shallots, finely chopped
- 9 whole scallions, thickly sliced
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups smooth tomato sauce or purée (or a good store bought marinara)
- 1/4 cup garlic purée*
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided in half
- 6 cups baby spinach leaves (about 8 oz)
- Small handful torn fresh herbs, such as dill, mint and/or parsley
- Extra-virgin olive oil
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Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 275°F. Season the shrimp with kosher salt and pepper.
Cook the orzo according to instructions and toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil.
Reserve, keeping warm.
In a large, heavy soup pot, Dutch oven, or wok, warm the remaining tablespoon
of olive oil over high heat. When the pot is very hot, add the garlic and
shallots, and sauté for 1 minute. Add the scallions and shrimp, and
sear for 30 seconds. Add the water, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Garlic Purée.
Cook for 2 minutes and remove the shrimp to the reserved orzo. Continue to
reduce the liquid until the mixture has thickened (2-3 minutes), and season
with salt and pepper.
Place a serving bowl in the preheated oven for 2 minutes to warm.
To the pot, add the orzo and shrimp, half of the feta, and the spinach, and
toss to combine. As soon as the spinach has wilted (about 1 minute), transfer
to the preheated bowl.
To finish, scatter the remaining feta, the fresh herbs, and a drizzle of
olive oil over the top.
*The Garlic Purée used in this recipe is made from Garlic Confit. The recipe
can be found in this book. It is a blend of oil, spices and garlic cloves.
Yields: 4 entree servings
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 Excerpts and Photography from: How to Roast a Lamb
by Michael Psilakis
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September's Article: |
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A
Dedication to the Greek Diaspora |
Part One of a Two
Part Series:
The Greek Americans
When a young Greek-American girl in
elementary school told her classmate that her
background was Greek, the classmate responded, "Oh, do you believe in Zeus?" For
many, the perception of Greek stops with the classical period — ancient gods, the
birthplace of democracy, the Parthenon, and famous philosophers such as Plato and Socrates.
Non-Greeks may not be aware of the heritage that shaped Greek Americans after the
classical period: the Roman occupation, Byzantine Empire, Orthodoxy, four hundred
years of Ottoman occupation, three wars in the twentieth century, the struggles of
immigrants to America, and the triumph of developing a Greek-American way of life.
Greek Americans come from a rich past. But who are they today?
What are the distinguishing attitudes, habits, and beliefs they hold in common? That
is, what ethos did the immigrants bring with them from Greece, how has the American
experience shaped them and their descendents, and how have these immigrants impacted
American culture and society?
GREEK IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA
Although individuals and small groups had come to America earlier, a Scotsman
recruited the first large number of Greeks from Mani in southern Greece as indentured
laborers with the promise of land. About four to five hundred immigrants arrived in
1768 and settled in a community named New Smyrna on the east coast of Florida. These
immigrants endured great hardships, and many died. Eventually they left the area,
were formally granted freedom in 1777, and moved north to St. Augustine, Florida.
(Two memorials commemorate these brave immigrants. The New Smyma Memorial has been
erected at Riverfront Park in New Smyma Beach, Florida. The St. Photios National
Shrine in St. Augustine commemorates the house where they worshiped.) During the next
one hundred years, individuals and other small groups continued to arrive. In 1864
Greek merchant under the direction of the local Greek consul formed a multiethnic
parish named the Eastern Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in New Orleans.
According to a leading Greek-American sociologist, Charles Moskos, by the end of the
nineteenth century around fifteen thousand Greeks had immigrated to the United
States. Between 1890 and 1917, the largest wave of Greek immigrants, 450,000 arrived
in America. They came primarily for economic reasons, initially settling mainly in
large cities. Eventually, though, Greeks could be found in most cities and in every
state. In the big cities, they held jobs in factories, restaurants, shoeshine
parlors, candy shops, and produce stands. In New England, they were blue collar
workers at textile and shoe factories; and in the Midwest and West, many worked in
mines and helped build railroads. Smaller groups went south to Alabama, North
Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The tremendous flow of immigrants slowed in 1924 when
the American government set quotas for the number of immigrants allowed to enter the
country. The Immigration Act of 1965 ended ethnic quotas, and
the second largest wave
of Greek immigrants (160,000) arrived between 1966 and 1979. some 810,000 Greek
immigrants came to America between 1873 and 1989.
TRANSPLANTING THE GREEK ETHOS
While many of the original immigrants were single young men who came to make money
and then return to Greece, a substantial number stayed and brought women from Greece
to start families. They began to recreate the society they had left. A Greek ethos
(system of values) was transplanted to America, a way of life built on dual
foundations of the Greek Orthodox faith and Hellenism. (In the Greek language the
word for "Greece" is "Hellas." Thus the Greeks call themselves "Hellenes," and
Hellenism refers to the secular Greek culture.) These values were based on family,
faith, ethnic pride, education, personal honor, and hard work. Early immigrants
fiercely nurtured these values by building Greek Orthodox churches as centers for
religious, cultural, and social needs. In addition, they established secular
organizations dedicated to regional, cultural, professional, and personal needs.
admirably, these efforts helped sustain the transplanted ethos of the first
generation.
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Special Feature: |
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Zakynthos: Food, Wine & Products |
Zakynthians are also concerned with
their personal appearance. They are always
dressed fashionably to suit the occasion,
and even the country folks have a certain
sophistication in manner and dress.
Zakynthian cuisine developed according to
the geological form, the conditions, and the
need of the people.
People in the city had access to goods of
all kinds because they were near the port
where merchant vessels arrived every day
carrying goods such as pasta, spices,
jewels, cloth and fish. Besides this,
vendors from the villages brought in their
fresh products including eggs, chicken and
tomatoes to sell to the rich. The vendors
used donkeys to carry their goods and tied
them outside gaithouro-tavernas (donkey
taverns) where they stopped for lunch.
There were no restaurants like there are
today, but there were shops which sold
cooked food where workers could come for a
break and enjoy Vouta, dipping a piece of
bread in soup, or another dish which was
mostly served in a big container.
There was an extra charge if olive oil was
added to the soup. Some carried this food to
the nearest tavern where wine was provided,
and if the company was friendly they would
start a big Glendi-feast.
Besides the venders from villages, there
were the Jewish vendors who were smart
enough to sell other goods such as small
pots, candles, water or olive holders, used
shoes, old scraps, bronze and lead items for
various needs.
Those who lived in the mountains were
limited to local products such as horta,
wild greens, mushrooms, olives, cheese,
game, corn or wheat bread, which they grew
in their yards. The sauces they made were
white because the soil was not fertile
enough to grow tomatoes. Those who were poor
had to be creative in order to find
something to feed their families and to make
these humble ingredients taste good. their
kitchens were in the corner of a room which
served every purpose. Most important was the
Foufou-the fire, with logs and charcoals
burning in a ring of rocks. The meals
were cooked in clay casseroles, a slow method of cooking which results in very tasty
dishes but requires patience on the part of the cook. The foufou also kept them warm
in winter. In this room the whole family could share everything. There was no
furniture, but baskets turned upside down were used for chairs and tables. The oven
was built of clay and placed outside of the house where bread and other dishes were
baked.
When John Dave, a British historian and military doctor, traveled all over Zakynthos
in 1824, he noticed that people in the mountains were more independent than those in
the city. There was no aristocracy but peasants who took care of their households.
The men were responsible for only the care of their animals and vineyards. The women
had to do the rest of the jobs. Besides housework, there were the all-important
activities of sewing, embroidering and weaving items for their dowry.
Zakynthos' women had many children and kept them home until they were adults so that
they could help take care of their properties. John Dave, also met men over 100 years
old who confessed to him that they had lived on bread and garlic all their lives.
People in the plains had poultry, vegetables, a plentitude of tomatoes, local cheese,
olives and wine which they grew and cultivated for their own use. Some of them became
vendors and sold eggs, chickens and vegetables to the people in the city.
Today, with the abundance of products available, improved transportation and
economical progress, not go without anything.
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The Special Feature "Zakynthos:
Food, Wine & Products"
will continue next
month. |
 Excerpt from
Cooking and Traditions of Zakynthos
by Calliopi Toufidou |
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Archaic Necklace Collection |
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Greek 14k Gold Jewelry |
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Music |
Parathisos 2010 , Various Artists |
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H2O International Dance Mix , Various Artists |
Kalokeri 2010 , Various Artists |
Minos 2010 Summer Kalokeri , Various Artists (2CD) |
Kaftes Epitihies 2010 , Various Artists |
Ola Mesa 2010 - 24 Non Stop Greek Dance Hits CD |
Non Stop Mix 6 by Nikos Halkousis , Various Artists |
Summer Hits 2010, Various Artists |
To Dimotiko Tragoudi einai edo Vol. 12, Traditional Greek Folk/Clarinet Music Collection (4CD) |
To Dimotiko Tragoudi einai edo Vol. 15, Traditional Greek Folk/Clarinet Music Collection (4CD) |
I zoi mas ena glenti, 56 Greek Folk songs - Syrto, Kalamatiano, Tsamiko, Tsifteteli songs (2CD) |
Pame sta Klarina, 72 Greek Folk songs - Syrto, Kalamatiano, Tsamiko, Tsifteteli |
E, Re Glentia , Various Artists (2CD) |
Hrisi diskothiki 1955, Various Artists |
Songs and Dances of Macedonia AEM025 |
Megaliteres Epitihies Best of Yiannis Kalatzis |
Exo - The Best Of, Sokratis Malamas (4 CD) |
I epohi tis agapis 2
( Season of Love 2 ) ,
Mario Frangoulis |
Tharros I Alithia , Tamta |
Yia sena anaseno , Maria Iakovou |
C'est la vie , Despina Vandi (2CD) |
Matomeno Dakri - Erotikon , Notis Sfakianakis |
Ipoklinome , Kostas Karafotis |
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Greek Soaps & Snacks |
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Vintage City Photo Posters |
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Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, 3rd of September Street (1914) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Acropolis view (1950) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Aiolou Street (1904) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Amalias Avenue (1937) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Athens and Acropolis City view (1950) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Athinas Street (1900) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Athinas Street (1917) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Entrance to Ancient Agora (1936) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Erechtheion - Kariatides (1920) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Ermou Street (1904) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Ermou Street (1917) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Fillelinon Street (1910) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Grand Brettagne Hotel (1907) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Haftia (1934) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Herodion (1930) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Kifisias Avenue (1932) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Lycabettus - Tositsa Street (1950) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Panathinaikon Stadium (1917) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Panepistimiou Street (1928) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - Panepistimiou Street (1937) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Panepistimiou Street (1947) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Panepistimiou Street (1950) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Patision Aerial view (1970) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Patision Street (1904) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Patision Street (1920) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Patision Street (1924) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Polytechnic University (1902) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Siggrou Avenue (1932) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Stadiou Street (1910) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Stadiou Street (1930) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Stadiou Street (1934) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Temple of Zeus - Stiles Olympiou Dios (1910) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Temple of Zeus - view of Athens (1921) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Thision aerial view (1932) |
Vintage Greek City Photos Attica - City of Athens, Acropolis view (1965) |
Keep a close eye on
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are in the process of adding hundreds of Vintage City
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Above you can find a selection from the city of Athens
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The Third Wedding , Costas Taktsis (In English)
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Imerologio Mageirikis 2008, by Vagelis Driskas, (In Greek)
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Enas Hronos stin Kouzina, by Vagelis Driskas, (In Greek)
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Aromatiki Kouzina, by Vagelis Driskas, In Greek
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September, by Rosamund Pilcher, (In Greek) |
I alli opsi, by Rosamund Pilcher, (In Greek) |
To Galazio Dwmatio, by Rosamund Pilcher,
(In Greek) |
Louloudia stin Vrohi, by Rosamund Pilcher,
(In Greek) |
To Carousel, by Rosamund Pilcher,
(In Greek) |
To Hioni ton Aprili, To Carousel, by Rosamund Pilcher, (In Greek) |
Matia Mou, by Maria Tsirita, (In Greek) |
Falconera , Alexis Ladas
(In English) |
To Triantafillo tou Heimona (The Winter Rose), by Jenifer Donnelly, (In Greek) |
The Island , by Victoria Hislop (In Greek) |
Oi drapetes tis Skakieras, by Evgenios Trivizas (In Greek) |
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Greek Apparel & Other Items |
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Featured Destination: Islands of the Saronic & Argolic Gulf - Hydra (part
4 of 5) |
|
 GEOGRAPHY
With its cosmopolitan atmosphere and constant throng of
tourists, Hydra is quite unlike the other islands of the
Argosaronic gulf. 50 sq. km. in area, with 56 km. of
coast and 2,723 inhabitants, its main town is also
called Hydra. There are daily boat and hydrofoil
connections with Piraeus, 36 nautical miles away, as
well as with Aegina, Methana, Poros, Spetses and
Hermione. During the summer there is a hydrofoil link
with Tolo, Nauplion and Porto Cheli, and twice a week
with Monemvasia and Leonidion. Tourist facilities are of
a high standard and there is a yacht marina in the
harbour. Hydra is also exceptional on account of its
unique landscape, differing from that of the other
islands in that it is rocky and barren (highest point
Eros, 593 m. a.s.l.).
HISTORY It was known in antiquity as Hydraia and
there was a Mycenaean settlement to the west of the
present town, as excavations have revealed.
In Homeric times it was dependent on Mycenae and later
on Hermione which, according to Herodotus, sold the
island for 100 talants to exiled Samians. It seems that
during the Byzantine era it experienced a floruit, as
evident from finds at the locality of Episkopi on the
island's east coast. However, its greatest acme was
achieved in more recent times, particularly during the
17th and 18th century when its inhabitants amassed a
considerable fleet of vessels, both large and small,
which voyaged throughout the Mediterranean. This fleet
and its experienced crews comprised the Hydriote
contribution to the Struggle for Independence in 1821.
The island's nautical tradition continued into modern
times even though many of its inhabitants moved to
Piraeus or emigrated to America. Nowadays there is a
Merchant Navy Academy here.
 SIGHTS-MONUMENTS
The old harbour with its canons and imposing bourgeois
residences dominating the landscape also bear witness to
its great maritime tradition. The houses are built
amphitheatrically, many have been refurbished in the
original style and have preserved their interior
decoration, often reminiscent of renaissance mansions in
miniature. Of these the Voulgari mansion on the west
flank of the harbour, that of Kountouriotis further up,
Tombazis' adjacent to that of Voulgaris, as well as
those of Votsi and Koulouris are particularly
impressive. A branch of the School of Fine Arts is
accommodated in the Tombazis mansion, a Home for the
Aged in that of Kriezis and the Merchant Navy Academy in
the Tsambados residence. The Museum houses archival
material related to the 1821 Revolution. Of the many
important churches and monasteries on the island,
mention should be made of the cathedral (metropolis),
dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin and built in
1765, with its marble iconostasis and numerous icons
(including one the Neomartyr Constantine of Hydra). On
the east side of the island, beside the bay of Mandraki
(3 km. from the harbour) stands the monastery of the
Holy Trinity and to the northeast that of St. Nicholas
and St. Matrona, on the highest peak of the island the
monasteries of Prophet Elijah (circa 1800) and St.
Eupraxia (circa 1800). Next to the lighthouse (Faros)
(at the northeast tip of the island) is the monastery of
the Dormition or the Virgin Zourva. The regions of
Kaminia, Vlychos and Molos are particularly picturesque
and from here one can climb up to Episkopi (on the south
side), site of the Byzantine town. In general only a few
beaches are suitable for swimming (Mandraki, Kaminia,
Viychos, Molos, Bisti) and access to these is by small
boat. There are refuelling facilities in the harbour.
Visitors may stay in hotels (mostly in town) and a
limited number of rooms and apartments for rent. Hydra
is girt by numerous rocky islets, the largest of which
is Dokos.
Next month:
The Islands of the Saronic and Argolic Gulf, Part 5 -
Spetses
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September
2010 Greek Orthodox Calendar |
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1
Ecclesiastical New Year
Synaxis of the Recovery of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos
Symeon the Stylite
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2
15th Thursday after Pentecost
Mammas the Martyr
John the Abstainer, Patriarch of Constantinople
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3
15th Friday after Pentecost
Anthimos, Bishop of Nicomedea
Holy Father Theoctistus and his fellow struggler Euthymius the Great
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4
15th Saturday after Pentecost
Babylas the Holy Martyr
Moses the Prophet & Godseer
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5
15th Sunday of Matthew
Zacharias the Prophet & Righteous Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist
Urban, Theodore, & Medimnos the Hieromartyrs and the 77 Companions at Nicomedea
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6
The Miracle at Colassai of Archangel Michael
Holy Martyr Calodotus
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7
16th Tuesday after Pentecost
The Forefeast of the Nativity of the Theotokos
Sozon the Martyr
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8
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Sophronios, Bishop of Iberia
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9
The Holy & Righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna
Severianos the Martyr of Sebaste
Theophanes the Confessor
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10
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Menodora, Metrodora, & Nymphodora the Martyrs
Poulcheria the Empress
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11
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Theodora the Martyr of Alexandria
Euphrosynos the Cook
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12
Sunday before Holy Cross
Apodosis of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
Autonomos the Martyr
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13
Forefeast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross
Memorial of the founding of the Holy Temple: Holy Resurrection of Christ
Cornelius the Centurion & Martyr
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14
The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Commemoration of the 6th Ecumenical Council
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15
Nikitas the Great Martyr
Philotheos the Righteous
Bessarion of Larissa
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16
Euphemia the Great Martyr
Sebastiana, Disciple of St. Paul the Apostle
Dorotheos the Hermit of Egypt
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17
16th Friday after Pentecost
Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love
Herakleides & Myron, Bishops of Crete
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18
Saturday after Holy Cross
Eumenios, Bishop of Gortyna
Ariadne the Martyr
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19
Sunday after Holy Cross
Trophimos, Sabbatios, & Dorymedon the Martyrs
Afterfeast of the Holy Cross
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20
Monday of the 1st Week
Eustathios the Great Martyr, his wife and two children
Our Righteous Father Eustathius, Archbishop of Thessolonica
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21
Tuesday of the 1st Week
Apodosis of the Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
St. Quadratus the Apostle
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22
Wednesday of the 1st Week
Phocas the Martyr, Bishop of Sinope
Phocas the Cyprian
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23
The Conception of St. John the Baptist
Xanthippe & Polyxene the Righteous
John the New Martyr of Epiros
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24
Thekla the Protomartyr & Equal-to-the-Apostles
St. Silouan of Athos
Coprios the Righteous
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25
Saturday of the 1st Week
Euphrosyne of Alexandria
Paphnoutios the Martyr & his 546 Companions in Egypt
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26
The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian
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27
Monday of the 2nd Week
Kallistratos the Martyr & his 49 Companions
Mark, Aristarchos, & Zenon, Apostles of the 70
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28
Tuesday of the 2nd Week
Chariton the Confessor
Our Righteous Father Alkeisonus, Metropolitan of Nicopolis; Old Epirus
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29
Wednesday of the 2nd Week
Kyriakos the Hermit of Palestine
Martyr Petronius
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30
Gregory the Illuminator, Bishop of Armenia
Mardonios & Stratonikos the Martyrs
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depicting the celebrated Saint, make great gifts for
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