«Βολβός κυκλάμινου με τρεις ανθοφόρους βλαστούς» Πηγή: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclamen#/media/File:Cyclamen_purpurascens_tuber.JPG
In some areas orchid and cyclamen bulbs were eaten raw or cooked.
Name - Origin
βολβοί ορχιδέων και κυκλάμινων.
In Palaichori they used to eat the bulbs of orchids and cyclamen which were abundant in that area. They were consumed raw or cooked. In the past, the bulbs were also used to make flour (Psillita-Ioannou 2010, 59, 90).
Additional information and bibliography
In Akanthou, the cyclamen leaves were used to make koupepia (stuffed leaves) (Psillita-Ioannou 2010, 90).
Psilita-Ioannou P. (2010), Παλαιχώρι: Ιστορία και Πολιτισμός, Platypus Publishing, Athens.
Savvas Polyviou, Argyro Xenophontos
Κυκλάμινα (Cyclamen persicum) στους Τάφους των Βασιλέων στην Πάφο (2013). Πηγή: Wildlife Travel (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildlifetravel/8568774403/in/photostream/)
Ορχιδέες κοντά στην Κρήτου Τέρρα (2004). Πηγή: Havang(nl) (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Orchids_near_Kritou_Terra,_Cyprus,_2004.JPG)
Foods
Arkokolókason
The plant Arum dioscoridis, the root of which is edible. In times of hunger it was used as a substitute for kolokasi (taro root).
Foods
Arkolahanon - sea beet
A wild green, the leaves and stems of which are cooked with various legumes or stews. Collected from January to April.
Foods
Arkóprasson, skourántha - wild leek
Wild leek is cooked whole, including its bulb. It can be consumed boiled with oil and lemon or added to legumes. It is added to many dishes when fried. It is also served fresh with olives or cheese.
Foods
Arkosellenoudin - fool's watercress
Wild, edible, small-sized celery. The leaves and tender shoots are consumed boiled, fried or in soups and sauces.
Foods
Arkostafida - Levantine pokeweed, American pokewee
A wild green grass which is included in the medicinal plants of Cyprus. It flowers from July to October on dry hillsides and alongside the roads in Agros, Geratzies, Pedoulas and Lefkara.
Foods
Arkotzinara - cardoon
Agriotzinara is eaten fresh and cooked. Its stems are boiled with legumes, especially beans and black eyed beans. Their artichokes are boiled, fried with eggs or cooked with meat and potatoes in a…
Traditional Recipes
Charlocks (wild mustard greens) yahní with flour
A fasting dish. The greens are cooked in a mixture of fried onion in olive oil and toasted flour.
Traditional Recipes
Charlocks with bitter orange juice
"Add the lapsanes to the sautéed onion and stir them until all the water has evaporated. Add the bitter orange juice and continue to cookl..." (Maria Ioannidou, Rizokarpaso)
Foods
Field and mountain greens
In difficult times of poverty and drought, people would resort to wild greens.
Traditional Recipes
Keftedes - patties with strouthoúthkia.
A variation of the keftédes recipe using wild greens (strouthouthkia) and potatoes, suitable for fasting periods or for vegetarians.
Traditional Recipes
Lapsanes (charlocks) with garlic
"...add the olive oil in the same pot and then add the garlic. When the garlic is golden brown, add the lapsanes and salt." (Tasoula Hadjilambi, Komi Kepir Kyrenia)
Traditional Recipes
Louvi (black-eyed beans) with lapsánes (charlocks)
A very simple and easy recipe, based on boiling louvi with lapsanes are served with olive oil and lemon juice.
Traditional Recipes
Mezé by Yanni
A mezé dish which combines Cypriot delicacies that are often served individually as mezé: bladder campion (maidenstears), lountza (smoked pork), halloumi (Cypriot white cheese) and Cypriot sausages.
Traditional Recipes
Omelette with charlocks (wild mustard greens)
"We were able to make this recipe only in the winter, since the main ingredient of the recipe, the lapsanes (charlocks), only grow during this season." (Tasoula Hadjilambi, Komi Kepir Kyrenia)
Traditional Recipes
Pourekia with strouthouthkia (bladder campion or maidenstears)
Nutritious pourekia for fasting with a wild greens filling.
Traditional Recipes
Pourekia with wild spinach
Nutritious pourekia for fasting with wild greens filling mixed with bulgur wheat, vermicelli and onion.
Foods
Strouthouthkia - Bladder Campions
Traditionally cooked with eggs (a type of omelette with greens)
Traditional Recipes
Strouthouthkia me t’avka (with eggs)
“In a pan, bring the oil to a boil and add the strouthouthkia. Let them cook and then add the eggs..." ("Kyperounda")
Traditional Recipes
Wild aparagus with eggs
A traditional Cypriot mezé dish served mainly as an appetiser.
Foods
Zahara, Zafora - Saffron crocus
Zahara or saffron is an ancient spice which consists of the red dried stigmas of the purple flower of the crocus plant (Crocus Sativus).