Name - Origin
Roasted (meat). In other parts of Hellenism it is called kokoretsi or psitón (Pharmakidou XP, 2003, p.191).
The adjective "oftón" (or optón) became a noun, due to the omission of the noun “meat" (Pharmakidou XP, 2003, p.191).
Additional information and bibliography
"We went to the orchard, we made ofton in the oven". "Today we ate ofton in the oven" ( the oven was made of mud bricks). When it is not about meat, the noun is also specified, e.g. avka (eggs) ofta, patates (potatoes) oftes (Pharmakidou XP, 2003, p. 191).
Pharmakidou XP (1983). Γλωσσάριον Ξενοφώντος Π. Φαρμακίδου, [Υλικά διά την σύνταξιν Ιστορικού Λεξικού της Κυπριακής Διαλέκτου, μέρος Β', έκδ. Θεοφανώς Δ. Κυπρή], Centre for Scientific Research, Nicosia, 2nd ed., 2003.
Stalo Lazarou
Traditional Recipes
Ofto lamb in lavezi
The lamb is boiled in water until cooked and then, after the water has evaporated, it is seared in its own fat.
Traditional Recipes
Ofto lamb tis teratsias
Recipe from Rizokarpaso. The meat is placed between layers of carob branches, and the traditional oven is closed tightly with mud around its opening to prevent smoke from escaping during roasting.
Traditional Recipes
Roast chicken with potatoes
Psito - roast meat or chicken with potatoes is the most popular Cypriot dish cooked in the oven. It is particularly associated with the family Sunday lunch.
Traditional Recipes
Ttavas with paprika from Vassa Koilaniou.
Ttavas is one of the most typical Cypriot oven dishes with several local variations. In Vassa Kilaniou village, ttavas is made with lamb, cumin and paprika.