Htapodi, soupies kathista - octopus, cuttlefish kathista
Name - Origin
Χταπόδι ή σουπιές κρασάτα.
Octopus and cuttlefish used to be cooked in wine (the dish is called kathistá). Housewives would put enough olive oil and dry, brusque wine in a clay pot together with octopus or cuttlefish, they would add onion and seasoning and allow the fish to simmer over low heat (Xioutas, 1978)
Additional information and bibliography
Xioutas P. (1978), Κυπριακή λαογραφία των ζώων. Publications of the Centre for Scientific Research, XXXVIII, Nicosia.
Demetra Demetriou.
Foods
Ašshélin - eel
The locals of Kythrea would skin and cut the eels into small pieces, salt them and put them in sterko (dry) wine for one to two days. In the same area they also used to grill or fry them.
Traditional Recipes
Cuttlefish in wine
It is important that the cuttlefish is fresh, local and uncleaned. They should not be washed, so as to retain the taste of the sea and their ink. They are served with pilaf rice. The recipe comes…
Traditional Recipes
Fish fillet with a crust
Fish fillet with a crust made of barley rusks, caper stems, lemon zest, salt and pepper, grilled with various herbs and wine. Healthy traditional ingredients combined in a contemporary recipe.
Traditional Recipes
Fried cured pork
Smoked and wine-cured pork, cut into cubes, fried and then cooked in wine and dry coriander. The recipe comes from Spilia in the Nicosia district.
Traditional Recipes
Lamb in wine sauce
A dish with lamb meat that was common throughout Cyprus. The cauliflower is marinated in wine, and the rest of the marinade is used to cook the food, creating a delicious and aromatic sauce.
Traditional Recipes
Lamb with rice
This dish, with marinated lamb and rice, was customary during festive periods. The recipe comes from Ormideia in Larnaca district.
Traditional Recipes
Mushrooms in wine
The mushrooms are sautéed and then left to simmer in wine and coriander, absorbing their rich aromas.
Traditional Recipes
Octopus in citrus - pilaf rice
Octopus is a favourite delicacy in Cypriot cuisine. In this contemporary recipe it is prepared in an innovative way, since it is combined with aromatic citrus fruit.
Traditional Recipes
Octopus in wine kathisto
In this local variation of the octopus in wine recipe, the olive oil, wine, vinegar, cumin, spices and various herbs blend together in a very tasty sauce that makes the octopus a special mezé.
Traditional Recipes
Souvla krasáti
Recipe from the village of Lysi. Before being barbecued on the charcoal, the meat is marinated in wine and spices.