
Greek Orthodox Lent, known as Sarakosti, is a period of spiritual reflection and purification leading up to the celebration of Easter.
Easter, known as Pascha in Greek, stands as the pinnacle of reverence and grandeur within the Greek Orthodox Church. It is a profoundly sacred occasion, brimming with rituals and customs that have endured since ancient times, predating the Christian era. For travelers fortunate enough to be in Greece during Easter, they are treated to a captivating spectacle of rich pageantry and profound religious fervor.
Adherents are encouraged to engage in various spiritual practices and observances during this time, including fasting, prayer, almsgiving, and self-examination.
During this period, traditional Greek cuisine undergoes a delightful transformation, with an abundance of plant-based, dishes taking center stage.
Traditionally, during fasting periods, meat, fish, dairy, oil, and wine are generally prohibited. As an exception, on Saturdays and Sundays, oil and wine are allowed, except on Holy Saturday, which is the only Saturday of the year when oil and wine are prohibited.
On March 25th and Palm Sunday, we eat fish. Seafood is allowed and, just to be precise, shrimp, octopus, squid, scallops, clams, lobster, crab, and mussels.
In celebration of this rich culinary heritage, I've curated a collection of Greek Lenten-friendly recipes that promise to discover the delectable side of Greek vegan cuisine while staying true to the Lenten dietary guidelines.
Enjoy!
Appetizers






Salads




Soups & stews












More main dishes



Fish and Seafood
First, an important clarification.
While fish and seafood aren't part of a vegan diet (obviously), they play a significant role during Great Lent in Greek Orthodox tradition. During this period of fasting, there are specific allowances for fish consumption on certain days (on March 25th and Palm Sunday).
Additionally, seafood, including shrimp, octopus, squid, scallops, clams, lobster, crab, and mussels, is permitted during this period.
It's essential to honor and respect these dietary customs while understanding that they may differ from a vegan lifestyle. So, if you are vegan, just skip the food category






Desserts



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