Indulge like the Gods in Crete by Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Those who read this blog regularly know that sometimes we feature a guest blogger. There is no one I enjoy featuring more than Inka Piegsa-Quischotte. She will research historical old dishes as well as out of the way places. This time, Inka was just in Crete and wrote this up so we could share it with you. I hope you enjoy.

If you read the Greek legends, the Gods are always enjoying food and drink and, most of al, Zeus, the head honcho. According to mythology he was born and raised in a cave of mount Ida, the highest elevation on the island of Crete Therefore there is a long tradition of outstanding food in Crete and I was lucky to meet Philip Exadactylos, owner of the online food company www.eatcrete.comwho exports all these delicacies to the rest of the world.

I was even luckier to be invited to accompany him on a shopping spree to the mountain village of Krousanos, where a small cooperative of women hand make the products he sells. Of course, everybody can go there and buy the specialities which include honey, extra virgin olive oil, fresh bread and rolls, pasta and – for me best of all – a sin fin of sweets and pastries.

The ladies receive you with open arms and spoil you with samples of their rusks filled with raisins, tiny chocolate cakes, honey filled canellas, almond covered biscuits and much more. I loved the wedding baskets filled with parcels of almonds and chocolate pralines wrapped inblue and pink.

Crete is also famous for wine and they have a big selection. New for me was a bottle of cinnamon essence, which you mix with ice and cold water in summer and hot water in winter to make a delicious drink. .

If you ask nicely, they will allow you into their kitchen in the back so you can see for yourself how all this is made, but be prepared: you’ll be given even more treats.

If you want to learn more about Inka, you can read my interview with her here.