Name - Origin
Lobster is rare in the Cypriot seas. Two species occur: (a) Homarus gammarus (european lobster) of the family Nephropsidae. (b) Palinurus elephas (common spiny lobster) of the family Palinuridae. Both species belong to the large crustaceans, having a large cylindrical body protected by a hard outer shell. Their broad tail resembles a fan. They live in the rocky bottom of the sea (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 3, entry αστακός,ο, O, 35).
Scientific name: Homarus gammarus of the Nephropsidae family and Palinurus elephas of the Palinuridae family (Great Cyprus Encyclopedia, vol. 3, entry αστακός,ο, 35)
Lobster is consumed boiled (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 3, entry αστακός,ο,, 35).
Additional information and bibliography
Babiniotis G. (2005), Dictionary of Modern Greek Language. With comments on the correct use of words. Interpretative, Orthographic, Etymological, Synonyms, Main Names, Scientific Terms, Acronyms, Centre for Lexicology, Athens, Greece.
Pavlides A. (ed.) (1985), Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 3, Filokypros, Nicosia.
Kyriaki Panteli, Argyro Xenophontos
Foods
Fishing and fish dishes
In recent years, in Cyprus, fish was served as follows: oftá (chargrilled), fried, hoglastá (boiled), savóro (marinated), plakí (in the oven) and yahní (in tomato sauce).