Wednesday 23 December 2020

Greek Supermarket

 At this time of the year exotic goods appear and then disappear from our 'super'-market.  Here are some of the 'exotics' and some of the normal, for us, goods on the shelves


Our supermarket is one of a chain of greek markets.  Our island shop is much, much smaller than those found in the big city but much bigger than the grocery shops in our neighbourhoods where we often shop.

It is convenient to buy everything, meat included from one shop but traditional people, and that's most of the population here, will still go to one shop for the best cheese, to another where they have heard there is a fresh supply of greek potatoes and another  for their wine or raki which often comes out of a barrel, decantered into a plastic water bottle and sold by the kilo.





Frozen octopus and fish fillets.  K would never buy his octopus from  the supermarket but I may buy frozen fish now and again to make soup.  I just make sure it is greek and doesn't come from Argentina or India




Loukoumia.  Known to you , but never to us, as 'Turkish' delight.
That's a box of rose flavoured loukoumia.  These can be served to guests with a cup of greek coffee


And the exotic, not only peanut butter but also butter made from cashews and other nuts


Tis the season.  Tsoureki, sweet bread.  And underneath are boxes of those greek sweets that my husband made the other day, melomakarouna and kouraiethes


The norm.  All sorts of cheese pies and  spinach pies



This is a new one, frozen chicken gyros.  I don't think we will
be buying it any time soon but it's interesting to see someone has had the bright idea and it probably sells well in the city.   Our fast food souvlaki shops are still open and that's where we would go to buy a chicken souvlaki with pita bread and gyro




28 comments:

  1. I love supermarkets of other countries

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  2. A bit different to a Kiwi supermarket!
    I hope you and the family have a great Christmas, Mxx

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    1. I just love kiwi supermarkets, from the parking lot to the cash desk. And they smell so totally different!
      A merry xmas to you and your family

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  3. The Loukoumia looks good. Have a wonderful Christmas.

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    1. Another sweet that's full of sugar but the loukoumia are mostly bite size so not too much damage.
      Merry Xmas. You have already started!

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  4. I made my three cheese pies today ready for tomorrow
    But as for the rest I just bought it.
    I’m just getting to old and tired to be baking for days
    Only to have everyone say they’re on a diet and will only eat one or two
    Yup. I’m getting lazy in my old age lol

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    1. Good for you Angela. I don't make cheese pies that often now. We found one in the supermarket that is cheap and really good. Its a spiral one.
      Hope you are having a terrific xmas day with all your family. Kronia polla me ygeia

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  5. I was amused yesterday when shopping (My supermarket was PACKED), to see the difference between my purchases at the checkout, and those of the lady behind me. Mine were mostly fresh products (far too many), but the lady behind me had almost nothing but boxes of frozen ready meals; they were piled high. The contrast was quite extraordinary. I wonder what she was doing???

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    1. Frozen ready ready meals in France. Shame on her! Maybe she was giving it all away to needy families.
      Hope you found your turkey! The fresh ones are around 7 euros this year.

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  6. Happy Christmas to you and your family.I always wonder what is in stores in other countries.

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    1. A wander round a foreign supermarket is always full of surprises, especially when you the labels are in a strange language

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    2. Hope you are having warm and sunny winter days. All the best Yael

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  7. That looks a bit different to our supermarket too, but like you we get all kinds of "special" foods for Christmas. And yes I buy some of them! Happy Christmas!

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    1. We usually go to a bigger supermarket where there are some really exotic goodies. This year we are prohibited from travelling that far. Next year though!!!

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    2. Hope you are having a marvellous summer xmas day downunder. I hear W Australia is having very high temps. Hope yours are bearable and you have a pool to jump into

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  8. No vegemite in the exotic section then? Have a warm and loving family Christmas and peace, health and happiness in your new year.

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    1. No vegemite ever but I do have a good supply in the cupboard. Now and again, ie once in a blue moon we may find a few jars of marmite. Thats just as good, for us

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    2. Hope you three have a very merry xmas. Temps looks as though they are going to be high, nice and sunny. My kids went swimming yesterday.
      Kronia polla. All the best

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  9. That all looks exotic to me up here in the frozen north!
    Have a very Happy Christmas, Linda xx

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    1. Thanks Jaycee. And a very Merry Xmas and a peaceful holiday to you and P

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  10. Thanks for showing us what a Greek supermarket looks like LA.

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    1. My pleasure Dave. All the best for a healthy and happy Xmas

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  11. That was very interesting to see what's available in your grocery store. Quite different than the busy store I was in yesterday. And guaranteed, there was no frozen octopus. ;) Merry Christmas to you and your family! -Jenn

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    1. Thanks Jenn. One day I'll try and photograph the barrels of feta cheese and other exotic stuff. Hope you and your family have a happy and healthy Christmas and the sun shines a little

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  12. Mmmm, tsoureki! Our church sold spanikopita but no tsoureki. I will have to make my own. In New Mexico, we traditionally eat tamales and posole (pork, red chili and hominy), which I am all set to start tonight. The tamales were made by a friend, and I can't wait to eat them tomorrow!!!

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  13. I have tried making tsoureki so many times and it never turns out properly, soft and stringy. I just buy them now.
    As for tamales, yum. My daughter works with a girl whose mother is from Honduras. She made us tamales one Xmas. Something totally different. Enjoy yours!!!
    Merry Xmas and wishing you the best of health

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