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Greek Independence Day is celebrated on March 25th each year and honors the declaration of independence from Ottoman rule in 1821. Traditional dishes are served to commemorate this important day, many of which have been handed down through generations.
What do Greeks eat, though, on this important day?
Which is the significant traditional dish of Greek Independence Day?
Let’s see the most famous dishes that locals prefer for this day!
1. Patato fassolakia
A stewed green beans dish with tomatoes and potatoes. It is typically served with rice or some flatbread-like pita. This dish is believed to be a traditional food for Greek Independence Day due to its simplicity and versatility. The combination of ingredients symbolizes the courage and hard work it took to gain freedom from outside forces.
2. Bakaliaros Skordalia
A Greek celebration would be incomplete without traditional Greek food. Bakaliaros Skordalia is THE traditional dish served on Greek Independence Day and Annunciation Day. Bakaliaros Skordalia is an excellent batter-fried fish with olive oil-based mashed potato garlic dip.
Salted cod is an inexpensive alternative to fresh fish that is also highly healthy and can be stored for a long time. Its ease of movement, preservation and cheap cost made it an extremely popular dish. Bakaliaros covered in beer batter, fried, and served with skordalia is the most crispy and delicious fish you’ve ever had. It’s a filling supper that goes well with a drink of white wine and fresh yogurt dip!
How can you cook Bakaliaros Skordalia?
Through the years, Bakaliaros Skordalia has become the local’s traditional dish of Greek Independence Day!
But how can you taste it as well? Let’s see!
Ingredients
1 kilogram salted cod fillet
Olive oil
To make the batter:
1 tbsp lemon juice 75 g (about 1 1/2) whites of eggs (or replace with 1 tbsp baking powder)
1 12 cups regular flour
12 cup cornmeal (cornstarch)
250 mL of beer (or 165 m beer an 85 ml water)
12 teaspoon salt and a sprinkle of white pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fennel fronds finely diced (optional)
Execution
Remove the skin from the cod, rinse to remove the salt, and set it in a basin covered with water.
Remove all bones from the fish if it is not a fillet. Before cooking, drain and replace the water every 3 – 4 hours for at least 24 hours.
Mix one egg white into the meringue. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and corn flour (baking powder instead of egg white). Add sea salt and pepper, fennel fronds, beer, olive oil, and lemon juice, and gradually add the water until you have a thick batter. Don’t add all the water since you may not need it all. Refrigerate the batter for one hour after adding the egg white.
Dip the salted fish in the batter or olive oil dip and cook in heated olive oil on both sides. Serve the fried fillets with a tasty garlic dip – skordalia and lemon wedges!
Other traditional dishes to try out!
Other dishes can be enjoyed on Greek Independence Day for those who want a more diverse menu.
Traditional desserts such as baklava and kataifi make for a sweet ending to the meal. For those who prefer savory flavors, options such as spanakopita (spinach pie) or moussaka (eggplant casserole) are great. Traditional Greek appetizers such as dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) or keftedakia (meatballs) can be served to start the meal off with a bang.
Wrapping up!
No matter which traditional dishes you choose to serve, celebrating Greek Independence Day is an important way to remember and honor the country’s struggle for freedom. Traditional dishes like Bakaliaros are a great way to show your respect and appreciation for all that was done in the past to secure independence.
Celebrate this special day with traditional Greek cuisine and ensure that the legacy of independence is kept alive!
