August Food/Cultural Theme:
Hypocratia Festival
“It’s Greek To Me . . .”

Hypocratia is the Greek Goddess for whom Hippocrates was named. Every August, on the Greek island of Kos, the Hypocratia festival celebrates the life of Hippocrates with live musical, dramatic and artistic performances as well as athletic contests. Hippocrates, who lived here, is said to be the father of modern medicine, and the ruins at Asklepieion are those of a healing centre built on his teachings. Traditional dancing takes place along with many other activities, which are open for participation to people from Greece and abroad. GREEK CUISINE From hearty stews to warming soups and simple side dishes, traditional Greek food combines the freshest of ingredients from land and sea to create a highly appetizing and healthy cuisine. It is based around a variety of colorful and flavorful foods that are high in nutrients and low in animal fats. Greek cooking is typical of Mediterranean cuisine, with strong influences from Italy, the Middle East and, to a lesser extent, from the Balkans. The basic grain in Greece is wheat, although barley is also grown. Important vegetables include tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, spinach, potatoes, green beans, okra, and onions. Meat doesn't play a prominent role in traditional Greek cuisine. It's usually reserved for festivals and special occasions or used in small amounts as a flavor enhancer. The terrain favors the production of goats and sheep over cattle; beef dishes tend to be a rarity. Fish dishes are also eaten frequently, especially in coastal regions and the islands. Olive oil, produced from the trees prominent throughout the region, adds to the distinctive taste of Greek food. Fruits are eaten either fresh, or preserved by drying. Popular varieties include apricots, grapes, dates, cherries, apples, pears, plums and figs. A variety of herbs and seasonings are used to flavor food including parsley, dill, oregano, cilantro, mint, ground pepper, sea salt and cinnamon. Lemon juice and lemon rind are also used to season food and in dressings. Too much refinement is generally considered to be against the hearty spirit of the Greek cuisine. Traditionally, Greek dishes are served warm rather than hot. GREEK FOOD LINKS Greek Cooking from GreekCuisine.com Greek Recipes from RecipeSource.com Greek Recipes from the International Vegetarian Union