Fish meze in Cyprus. Delicious dishes from fish and seafood

Cyprus does not accidentally attract a large number of tourists from around the world. This third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea is rich in historical traditions and unique natural landscapes.

Awesome Cyprus

Many rightly call it a pearl. After all, here is the warmest sea, the longest summer and amazing national cuisine. But the real property of the Cyprian culinary culture is the fish meze. It is served here in a fashionable restaurant, and in a small tavern on the beach. Many tourists, for the first time in this paradise, mistakenly believe that mezedes is some kind of a separate dish. But, having got used to it a little, the guests understand that under an unusually sonorous name there is a surprise for gourmets, a special menu that includes several variations of dishes.

A bit of history

Experts say that this style of dinner was invented by the Greeks in ancient times. It is noteworthy that fish meze still love in Cyprus more than meat. And this is understandable: the Mediterranean Sea at all times was famous for its gifts.

Scientists have tried more than once to unravel the phenomenon of this culinary feature of Cypriots. Some expressed the opinion that the meze came to the island from the Arab countries and was firmly integrated into the local life. Others speak with confidence about the local origin of this custom. But, despite the disagreements of respected people, the fish meze in Cyprus became a culinary symbol.

Features of a culinary attraction

Modern mezedes more like a full dinner, smoothly flowing into dinner. As already mentioned, the menu can include 5-6 meals, and sometimes this number goes up to twenty. There is no strict regulation, so the free style reigns. Each institution has its own "repertoire". The owner of the tavern or restaurant tries to surprise the guests, and everything that he has, gradually appears on the table. Tourists are happy to use the chance to taste the seafood in such an unusual performance as a meze. As a rule, this small culinary presentation lasts several hours.

But the friendly company does not feel the flight of time, and a comfortable atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy socializing. Pleasantly surprising and the cost of such a rich menu: it usually does not exceed 20 euros per person. What can I say - quite a democratic price, especially if you consider the product abundance. To taste a fish meze you need to slowly, feeling the taste of each piece. This custom completely reflects the basic principle of living on the island: "whitefish" (or quietly).

Traditional products and exclusive features

Most often during the tourist season in all institutions offer guests a standard menu. It necessarily includes local sauces, vegetable snacks, cheeses and, of course, fish and seafood, that is, without which it is impossible to prepare a full meze. A mandatory component of the menu is bread of different types. This can be a flat cake - pita, croutons or white bread. Without dessert, too, the picture will be incomplete. Usually seasonal fruits are served, which in Cyprus is abundant. Different institutions may have their own characteristics, but everywhere the seafood is central to the table.

It can be fried fish or soufflé, squid in batter or shrimp, fried squid or sea urchin caviar. The Mediterranean Sea is rich in gifts! The final chord of the whole meal will be strong Cypriot coffee. Elegant taste of this drink will complement the well-played symphony.

To all that has been said, I would like to add that the Cypriot Meze is especially popular during the post. For local people, it is a normal everyday food. Cypriots are very proud of the fact that the culinary tradition, born in the midst of the common people, has become the property of the island.

For lovers of exotics

Each tourist to some extent is an explorer. He studies with interest the places of interest, monuments of architecture and peculiarities of the national cuisine of the place where he found himself by the will of fate. Those who get to Cyprus, an amazing opportunity to experience and appreciate the unique flavor of local cuisine. To the present gourmets on the island there is where to clear up: you can relax in a chic restaurant at an elite hotel, and you can pass the time in a modest institution away from the tourist hangouts. In a quiet environment, I want to relax and taste something unusual, exotic.

Only in the tavern on the beach you will be offered a fish meze of excellent quality. Owners of such establishments try to attract customers with fresh products. Therefore, the catch of local fishermen directly from the networks migrates to the kitchen of coastal taverns. The owners of such establishments include fresh mussels in the meze. This delicacy is very useful and tasty. Of the mussels on the island, many delicious dishes are prepared. Mollusks here are usually served in the sink or without it, of which ragout is made, and also included in various salads. All this culinary splendor, of course, inspires any traveler at first, but then the question arises: how to cope at the table with an exotic meal, so as not to become an object for ridicule. Let's try to understand how to properly eat mussels, so you can safely enjoy their excellent taste.

Mussels in shells

If the shellfish is cooked in a sink, and the taster first meets face to face with such exoticism, he is often overwhelmed by doubts about the edible qualities of internal contents. Some deprive themselves of a valuable product, fearing clumsy actions when opening the shell, and refuse to experiment. Others, by ignorance, remove the unnecessary elements of the prepared shellfish. In a word, everyone acts as he sees fit. In fact, in mussels, except for the shell itself, everything is edible. They can be baked in the oven, boiled, but, regardless of the way they are cooked, they are very useful and tasteful. Of course, the product must be fresh and of excellent quality.

When extracting shellfish from a shell it is allowed to use a plug. The second option, provided for by etiquette, is the use of one of the sink flaps as a tool.

Tasting rules

Often a person who finds himself in a restaurant gets into a difficult situation, not knowing how to handle the exotic food. For this reason, an amazingly delicious dish can remain untouched until the end of the evening. The described situation is observed when the table fish and seafood, and especially shellfish. First, you should check for the availability of the necessary appliances for such an unusual meal. On the table there should be special tongs and an oyster fork. The first item is needed to fix the mussels on a plate, and the second is needed to extract the mollusk from the shell.

In the case when mollusks are fed on the flaps, it is allowed to eat them without the use of special appliances. This is done in the following way: in one hand place half the shell with meat, flavor sauce and send gently into the mouth. On the table must be dishes with a slice of lemon and a towel. These attributes are necessary for rinsing your fingers.

Conclusion

Knowing how to properly eat mussels, and what to do after a meal, you can safely go to a restaurant. However, today they are often served on a platter or in a more extravagant form - strung on skewers.

Seafood has a unique taste and useful properties. Therefore, when they are on the table - it is always a holiday for real gourmets.