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A Lenten celebration.
The first day of the 40 day fast (it is actually 49 days from Clean Monday to Easter Sunday) from meat, fish, eggs and dairy.
A public holiday. Time to eat shellfish and octopus, kalamari, flatbread (lagana), taramasalata (fish roe salad), drink ouzo and finally fly kites.
The lagana, I read, is the name of the unleavened bread given by God to the Israelis to feed them while they crossed Egypt to their promised land. It is two times the price of a normal loaf of bread on this day but I make my own.
When the lagana comes hot out of the oven you break great chunks off, cover them in home made taramasalata and by the time you sit down to eat the lenten meal your stomach is full. Happens every year. Our custom is to tear the lagana into pieces and not cut with a knife.
We were going to sit outside but it was cloudy and windy so we moved the show indoors. Here the men are bbq-ing octopus, kalamari, cuttlefish and preparing grilled vegetables and steamed mussels. Far too much, as usual
The winner was...... seafood risotto made with orzo, ouzo, kalamari, octopus and shrimp. We really didn't need anything else
I organised a treasure hunt for the kids and sent them running all over the neighbourhood (masked and with sms permit) to find all those pieces of paper with the clues and all those choccies were the prize at the end of the rainbow
Finished off the day by flying a kite. There was plenty of wind and the kite did, once or twice get up quite high. It also got tangled in some lines and trees but unravelled itself in a miraculous fashion
A good time was had by all. As usual
The grandkids weeded, pruned, fixed my computer and kneaded dough for the flat bread. Daughters laid tables, juggled food, did dishes and took away the leftovers. I gave orders, caught up on the news and took a lot of photos to laugh about in later years
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Another great family celebration. Love, simple good food and fun means so much more than wealth and power.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lot of laughs as usual. Much simpler food, thank goodness
DeleteDo you actually fast from meat, fish, eggs and dairy for 49 days? Go total vegan? I was brought up Catholic and we used to give up something for lent, usually sweets. Is everyone religious where you are and how do people get on who are not when there is so much tradition around this?
ReplyDeleteMy sister in law goes the whole way. We usually just give up meat and so do my girls. Years ago it was hard to buck tradition but nowadays everyone just does what they want. Surprising though how many, even the young follow the rules. Fast food places serve squid and chickpea burgers and our local souvlaki shop serves a meat free alternative
DeleteIt's great to see the traditions and celebrations carry on no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the more popular fiestas and usually involves a lot of dancing and singing. A bit tame this year
DeleteWonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWith not a mask or social distancing at home, in sight!
Our Goof-Ball-President is telling us, that if we are all *good little sheep*, we MIGHT be able to have an Independence Day BBQ with a few people.
$*&%$^O)&%_&%#%&%#@%^***%$@@$^ to him!
Keep enjoying!!!!!
We did wear masks, under the chin, when we went flying kites but there was no one else in sight. We were alone out in the 'wild'.
DeleteHope you can get together much much sooner than your Independence day!!! How about Easter?
All your family celebrations sound wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThis one was lots of fun but so was the last one when everyone joined into stack wood. Lots of smiley faces
DeleteThat's how family life SHOULD be. Our family exists on Skype these days.
ReplyDeleteWe are extremely lucky all the close family live on the island and that extended family from downunder, when they can, love to visit
DeleteSounds like a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteEven the wind was just right!! Just luvly
DeleteWhat a wonderful day full of love and laughter
ReplyDeleteCould you please share your recipe for the flat bread?
I'll write about the lagana. It has changed over the years. Now it's basically just bread pushed flat
DeleteOur neighbour gave us some of the bread and potato taramasalata on Tuesday, and it is being consumed on fresh bread with Greek salad. My humans are probably complete food plebs and I refuse to give up meat xxxx Mr T
ReplyDeleteHot bread and taramousalata is the best part of the day.
DeleteOh and now we know the ulterior motive for all your rambles about the locality over recent weeks - a treasure hunt.
ReplyDeleteI didn't send them out too far .. not more than 1km but you've given me an idea for next time!! Get rid of some of their energy
DeleteStrangely enough unleavened bread has the ok with my tummy.
ReplyDelete