«Αμπελοπούλια» Πηγή: Γ. Γρούτας
A favourite dish of the past. They were usually served pickled or boiled.
** Blackcaps are a strictly protected species of wild birds in Cyprus; their killing/hunting and possession/consumption is prohibited.
Name - Recipe
Pickled blackcaps were a species of small migratory birds, preserved in vinegar.
Their name is after their looking for food in vineyards.
Blackcaps
2 glasses of vinegar
½ glass of salt
Clean and wash the blackcaps. Put the vinegar and salt in a glass jar. Boil the blackcaps in a pot and then put them in the glass jar. Leave the blackcaps in vinegar for 2-3 weeks (source: Evridiki Kyriakou, Kyperounda - Limassol, in Kourri and Lazarou 2007, unpublished data).
Boiling.
Preserving in vinegar.
Additional information and bibliography
Trapping and trade of wild birds have been prohibited since 1974, through Articles 10, 14 and 15 of the "Law on the Protection and Development of Game and Wild Birds of 1974 (39/1974)". The killing/hunting and possession/consumption of blackcaps has been prohibited since 1988, when the Republic of Cyprus ratified the 'Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats', to which it had already been a signatory since 1979. In particular, the vblackcap is included in "Appendix II" of the "Specially Protected Species of Fauna - Birds" of the "Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Enactment) Law of 1988 (24/1988)". Subsequently, the Cypriot legislation was harmonised with the "Community Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds (former Directive 79/409/EEC)", when the House of Representatives passed the "Law on the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Law No. 152(I)/2003”. Finally, in July 2011, as a result of the "1st Pan-European Conference Against Illegal Killing of Birds" held in Cyprus, the Ministry of Interior and the Game and Wildlife Service adopted the "Larnaca Declaration", which provides for the adoption and implementation of a "zero tolerance" policy against illegal killing of birds (Nea Ammochostos... everything for Famagusta!, "Ampelopoulia. The black market, the turnover of millions and sanctions", http://neammochostos.com/ampelopoulia-i-mavriagora-o-tziros-ekatommirion-ke-i-evr-kirosis/).
** For blackcaps in general, see the article on blackcaps in the Food section.Kourri P. and Lazarou S. (eds.) (2007), Traditional recipes of the village of Kyperounda (unpublished data).
Kourri P. and Lazarou S. (eds.) (2007), Traditional recipes of the village of Kyperounda (unpublished data).
Nea Ammochostos... everything about Famagusta!, "Ampelopoulia. The black market, the turnover of millions and the sanctions", http://neammochostos.com/ampelopoulia-imavri-agora-o-tziros-ekatommirion-ke-i-evr-kiros
Stalo Lazarou, Argyro Xenophontos
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