MY COUNTRY MY MY COUNTRY MY CUSTOMSCUSTOMS

SCHOOL OF EUROPEAN EDUCATION HERAKLION, CRETEVILNIUS, 6-10/6/2016

GRAPE- GATHERINGGRAPE- GATHERING WINE-MAKING WINE-MAKING

Wine - making involves crushing the grapes in special stone constructions which are called

“ patitiria” . Tsikoudia or raki, is a strong local drink

made from the remains left behind in the patitiria, after most of the grape juice has been removed.

OLIVESOLIVES• From October until January each

year people all over Greece collect olives, which produce oil.

TRADITIONAL TEXTILESTRADITIONAL TEXTILESWomen were known for their skill in

weaving. The old traditional houses were characterized by the loom. They made the daily clothing of the family blankets, towels, rugs, tablecloths.

NEEDLE WORK DECORATIONNEEDLE WORK DECORATION

TRADITIONAL DANCESTRADITIONAL DANCESTraditional Greek dancing has a

primarily social function. It brings the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest ,patronal festivals and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, such as weddings. For this reason, tradition frequently dictates a strict order in the arrangement of the dancers, for example, by age.

Peloponisos

Macedonia

Pontiakos

Main land

ISLANDS

CRETAN DANCESCRETAN DANCESThe traditional Cretan dances constitute an

expression of the bravery and dynamism of the Cretan character. Dancers are accompanied by the Cretan lyre.

There are also pan-Hellenic dances, which have There are also pan-Hellenic dances, which have been adopted throughout the Greek world. been adopted throughout the Greek world. These include the These include the syrtos, , kalamatianos, , hasapiko and and sirtaki..

TRADITIONAL RECIPESTRADITIONAL RECIPES

XINOCHONTROSXINOCHONTROSINGREDIENTS• ½ - 1 water glass

oil• 1 kg cracked

wheat• 3 lt milk• A little salt

PREPARATIONClean the husks from the wheat, grind it in a hand mill and sift through a fine sieve (traditional ‘knisara’) to separate the flour. Boil and strain the milk, and leave for four days or more, depending on the weather, until it turns sour, adding salt and stirring from time to time.Put the sour milk on to the heat and when it begins to boil, add the wheat. Stir continuously until cooked, adding the oil while it simmers. Take off the heat, and leave for 8-10 hours to fully absorb the liquid. It can be eaten fresh, but the larger portion is usually crumbled into small pieces, and spread out on a clean cloth in the sun. It should be turned over occasionally until it dries completely. It should be kept in a clean dry container, so that no moisture is absorbed. It is generally used as a substitute or supplement for rice in soups, stuffed vegetables and other dishes.

Ingredients for the filling•½ kg sweet fresh mizithra cheeseIngredients for batter1 glass milk•1 egg•½ teaspoon of baking powder•Enough all-purpose flour to make a thick batter•Oil for frying

MALEVIZIOTIKA MINI MIZITHRA MALEVIZIOTIKA MINI MIZITHRA CHEESE PIESCHEESE PIES

PREPARATION

Make a thick batter with the milk, egg, baking powder and flour. Beat with a whisk or hand blender. Make small balls from the mizithra cheese. Dip them one by one in the batter, drain a little, and drop into a pan of very hot oil (a few pieces at a time). When golden, remove with a slotted spoon and serve with honey, molasses or sugar.

LAMB WITH HYLOPITESLAMB WITH HYLOPITESINGREDIENTS PREPARATION

Cut the meat into cubes and sauté in very hot oil wit the finely chopped onion and garlic. Add the pepper and carrot. After another 2 minutes, add I cup of water and as soon as it boils remove the scum that forms with a slotted spoon. Leave the meat to simmer for about 1 hour. When it is half cooked, add the chopped tomatoes and seasonings. Add the hylopites and continue to cook for about another 20 minutes until the red sauce has thickened, the hylopites are cooked and the meat is tender. Serve hot, sprinkled with the grated cheese.

1 kg lamb½ clove of garlic2 medium-sized tomatoes1 carrot1 onion4 tbs oil1 pepper½ kg hylopites½ cup grated cheeseSalt, pepper