Outside and inside Greece, Greek salad is one of the most popular and well-known Greek foods. Greeks adore the horiatiki, which literally translates to “village.” During the summer, it can be found on most Greek tables, both at home and at taverns.
The Greek salad is called in Greece Horiatiki salata (Xwplátikn Zaλáta). Horiatiki means “village-style” or “peasant style”, simple, fresh and healthy. Surprisingly this salad is not really part of the traditional Greek cuisine long established. Indeed, the tomato did not become popular in Greece until the end of the 19th century.
Tomatoes were brought from South America to Europe by the conquistadors. The Italians were among the first to include tomatoes in their cuisine in the late 16th century, but tomato seeds were not introduced to Greece until the early 1800s when the country was still part of the Ottoman Empire.
The first tomatoes were first cultivated on the island of Syros, then in Santorini. They became popular and began to be incorporated into Greek recipes towards the end of the 18th century. Today there are versions of this salad in many Mediterranean countries.
Juicy red tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sharp onion, extra virgin olive oil, and, of course, feta cheese. The only true authentic Greek salad, commonly known as Village Salad or Horiatiki in Greek. This is the real deal; imitations of so-called “Greek Salads” are not acceptable. This salad, which hails from Greece, is packed with taste, minerals, and the goodness of summer fruit!
You can enjoy it as a single dish, combining it with a source of carbohydrates such as bread and a portion of vegetables. But it is also excellent accompanied with a light second course of meat or fish.
It is prepared with fresh ingredients that do not require cooking; only vegetables and feta, the typical Greek cheese. This dish has a delicate flavor, with just a few salty notes of the feta that goes perfectly with tomatoes and rockets.
Many fresh and genuine ingredients make the Greek salad a tasty and healthy recipe, ideal for varying your diet.
This salad is the focus of the Mediterranean Diet. It contains vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, feta, and olive proteins, and olive oil, which is the main fat used. All these ingredients make a delicious salad and provide us with many vitamins and other essential nutrients.
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Greek salad (Horiatiki)You Have To Try
Description
Although these days there are many variations, an authentic Greek salad features tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, Feta, oregano, and olive oil. The combination of these ingredients is a simple way to add key vitamins and minerals to your everyday
Ingredients
Instructions
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To make this Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki), start by preparing your vegetables. Wash thoroughly and strain the vegetables. Cut the tomatoes into wedges, slice the onion into thin rings, cut the cucumber in thick slices and place everything in a large bowl. Don’t forget to add the olives as well.
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Season with salt and pour over the extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. Toss everything together, so that the flavors mix. Be careful not to add too much salt, as the feta cheese and the olives are salty enough.
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Greek salad (Horiatiki) is always served with feta cheese on top, a drizzle of olive oil, and dried oregano. Enjoy your delicious Greek salad as a side dish or as a light summer meal with lots of crusty bread aside!
