Yes, I am back from Greece. I’m rested, re-invigorated and ready to take on life once again. This year’s vacation to Greece marks my 20th time visiting the country of my origin.
I visited much of the mainland, from the northernmost province of Macedonia to the southernmost tip of Greece, the peninsula of Neapolis with the islands of Kythera and Ellafonissi just across the strait.
I saw old friends, relatives, made some new friends and acquaintances (thanks to the blog), enjoyed some fantastic food at people’s homes, at some wonderful eateries, shopped at local farmer’s markets, spent some quality down time at many beaches and savoured the warm evenings with the company of friends and a few drinks!
You want inspiration, recipes, vivid memories of Greece…CHECK! I’m back and I’ve got so much to share with all of you (including this fabulously easy and delicious stuffed and grilled calamari recipe).
Allow me to share a brief recap of my travels through Greece. I can’t give everything away but more photos, experiences and food and drink will be shared.
My return from Greece is like a new season…kinda’ like the feeling I got going back to the 1st day of school. Have a wonderful year, I’m enjoy you’ll be reading my regular posts and hopefully you’ll capture the feeling I got from visiting Greece and together we can re-enact the atmosphere, the taste, the aromas and the sights through Greek food and drink.
I started off with some R & R at my parents’ summer home for the first two weeks in Nea Kallikratia, Halkidiki. The schedule…er there was no schedule…easy come and easy go.
I was also able to enjoy the bounty of the sea, like these freshly caught venus clams from the same waters I swim in!
I also headed down to Athens to see the New Acropolis Museum for myself.
When in Athens, don’t forget to also visit the old Museum…another must-see and it’s true what they say…the stones do speak!
A visit to Athens also involved food. I spent a long and leisurely morning gawking at all the fresh meat, produce and seafood available…awesome!
After Athens, I headed south into the Peloponnese peninsula and stayed in the coastal region of Leonidio. I was privileged to stay at the summer retreat home of Elena (Syntages Tis Kardias) and the memories (with lots of laughs) will be forever remembered.
The wonderful thing about Leonidio is that one gets the “sea and mountains” effect…times 10! I stayed in a town called “Pragmatefteis” and the home where I stayed gave me a view of Spetses, Porto Heli and on a clear day as far as the island of Milos. 
The next stop on mini-tour of the Peloponnese was to the Prefecture of Laconia…THIS IS SPARTA!
Nearby Sparta is are the Byzantine-era ruins of Mistras. If you’re ever in southern Greece…this is a “must see”…I was truly moved by this visit.
Further on down in Laconia, I visited the Port of Gythio…I find myself always being drawn to water and mostly the sea. I took a stroll along the seaside promenade and stopped at a psarotaverna for some seafood and Tsipouro.
Further on down in Laconia, I headed to the peninsula of Neapolis. This is where I would take in the first of four wine tours on this trip to Greece. Theodoros Vatistas was was gracious host and we toured the winery’s entire operations, ate & drank, had some good laughs and cemented a new friendship.
My next stop on Greek Odyssey was on to Nafpaktos and nearby Messonlonghi. This area is historically very significant in Greek history and I must say, it’s beauty is rivaled only by the rich history of this part of Greece.
Nearby Messolonghi is situated on a large & almost enclosed sea. It’s very shallow and the main source of seafood that is caught is the grey mullet, from which “botarga” or “avgotaraho” is made from the roe of the fish.
During my vacation in Greece, I also did do some cooking. These stuffed peppers (meatless) were one of my faves of the summer. 
Don’t you worry, I also ate meat…had some of the best souvlaki ever in Agios Prodromos, Halkidiki. A town famous for its tender, succulent and tasty souvlakia! 
I also always go back to my parents’ home villages as I still have an aunts cousins here. Amynteon is a sleepy town in the Prefecture of Florina that once was very active commercially and socially but today it largely boasts of producing some of Greece’s finest wines, with the Xinomavro grape varietal.
Just an hour west of Amynteon is the lakeside city of Kastoria. To this day, the fur trade is very important to this city but I’m sure Kastoria also received many tourists…interested in seeing the finely preserved architecture and beautiful lakeside views.
As a foodie and as a Greek, one HAS to explore the city of Thessaloniki and it’s culinary delights.
If Athens is the heart of Greece, then (in my opinion)…Thessaloniki is the belly, or…stomach. This city always pushes the envelope, not afraid to try new things without veering from the spectrum of Greek food.
This is just a taste of what I experienced during my vacation in Greece. I have over 3400 photos and there will be plenty of time to share my experiences, point you to some people who are producing some fine Greek wines and spirits, folks who are representing Greek cuisine in it’s best possible light, some tips on where to eat and as always…more delicious recipes that are Greek and soon to appear on your table too!
One dish that I enjoy alot is suffed calamari…yes, yes…squid! Stuffed calamari takes on a whole new “yum-factor” when it’s grilled. The idea for this recipe comes from a recipe I saw in Vefa’s Kitchen. This book is huge, full of recipes from all regions of Greece and surely a “must-have” for those interesting in cooking Greek food.
For this dish, I like using small squid so that they grilled quickly and the filling warms up in the same amount of time. Imagine tender calamari char-grilled and plated on a bed of “latholemono” with parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, mustard, lemon juice.
You cut open the calamari and melted cheese oozes out and a mosaic of red peppers, scallions and fennel is revealed. This recipe is both easy an delicious. Hurry up…there’s still a few weeks left for some outdoor grilling!
Grilled Stuffed Calamari
(serves 2 or makes for one appetizer plate)
1 to 1 1/2 lbs of small calamari, cleaned
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup of fennel (bulb), diced
1/2 cup of Kefalograveria cheese, diced
(Gruyere or Gouda would work fine)
4 scallions, finely chopped
1 tsp. smoked paprika
a pinch of Boukovo (or chilli flakes)
salt and pepper to taste
Parsley Latholemono
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
a squirt of Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp of lemon juice
1 Tbsp. of chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
- In a skillet, add your olive oil over medium-high heat and add your scallions, red peppers, and fennel and then reduce to medium and saute for about 5 – 7 minutes or until most of the liquid is gone and the vegetables have softened. Add your smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside and allow to cool.
- Clean your calamari and remove the tentacles and fins aside. You may grill these separately to accompany the stuffed calamari.
- In a small bowl, add all of your latholemono (dressing) ingredients and whisk to incorporate. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
- Pre-heat your gas or charcoal grill. You’re looking for a medium-high heat. Brush the grill surface and ensure it’s lubricated with some kitchen towel that’s been soaked in vegetable oil. Wipe your grill surface with the oil so that nothing sticks.
- Add your diced cheese to the now-cooled calamari filling and mix well. Using a small spoon and your fingers, fill each squid tube to 2/3 of capacity and secure with a toothpick (the calamari will shrink and you don’t want that tasty filling to fall down into your grill).
- Poke the calamari tubes a couple of times with a toothpick (prevents them from popping). Lightly brush your calamari with oil and season with some salt and pepper.
- Grill for about 2 minutes a side and serve on a plate/platter with a bed of the latholemono, some leafy greens and sliced tomatoes as garnish and a wedge of lemon. Serve with a fruity Greek white, like a Papagianni Viognier-Assyrtiko.
If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at https://kalofagas.ca then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at truenorth67 AT gmail DOT COM. All recipes, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author.
© 2007-2009 Peter Minakis
62 Responses
Peter, it looks like a fabulous trip & that stuffed squid, divine!
It seems that you had a wonderful and long summer in Greece, Peter…
Welcome back!
The photos are marvelous…
Thanks for sharing! I’d really love to go back to Greece…
That calamari dish is fabulous! I can taste it through my screen, mmmhhh!
Cheers,
Rosa
Welcome back Peter. We look forward to hearing about all the wonderful foods and more of your adventures. I have been to Nafpaktos. I walked up to the Kastro at 6 AM…yes an ungodly hour when you’re on vacation…but a stunning view of the bridge to the peninsula.
What a tour !
It was a real great moment of my summer meeting you !
Next summer if you like, we’ll cook together !
Ανυπομονω να διαβασω πεÏισοτεÏα !
Φιλια
Welcome back, Peter! It sounds like you had another fabulous Greek vacation. Your photos are spectacular, and I look forward to more!
I’m loving that calamari dish! It’s definitely one to try before the grill gets packed up for the Winter.
Looks like another wonderful summer in Greece! The food and the pictures all look wonderful and can’t wait to read some more!
Welcome home my friend!
I know whom to talk to when I’m ready to plan a trip to Greece. Your photos are beautiful, and that squid looks fantastic. Glad you had a great time. Welcome back. Looking forward to more posts from the homeland.
I have to try this stuffed squid. Looks incredible! The recipe I tried last week (something I found online years ago) was bland and boring. And, I have to get that book!
Welcome back Peter! It was great having you over. Next year we can hopefully sit in the veranda!
What a wonderful vacation! I’m so jealous, in a good way.
I have a dear friend who lived in Nafpactos for many years – I’ll definitely be passing on this URL to her.
It looks like you had terrific, varied experiences. The recipe looks marvelous, too.
As usual, I am jealous. Beautiful pictures and some wonderful calamari. makes me want to eat in a Greek restaurant tonight!
geez I don’t know what to comment on first? I mean seriously. that one shot of the raw claws brings back so many memories for me when I was in Maine, we used to eat raw uni straight from the water–so good.
I have to say that pic of you on the beach just chilling is the best, and the veggie peppers too. Welcome back Peter!!
Welcome back. Imagine bumping on to you when we went to Sparta during August. We were so close going to Leonidio but preferred Nafplio and Tolo and then to Monemvassia and Elafonissi.
Welcome back! It sounds like you had a wonderful summer – will look forward to hearing more about Greece and some tasty new recipes!
Peter – I love your pictures….and the food just sounds amazing…Welcome back – I’m glad your trip went well! : )
Welcome home! I’m really excited about the posts to come – these little teasers are lovely!
Welcome back! It looks like you had a good time and had lots of great food! I look forward to reading more about it.
Welcome back Peter! Oooooh I am so looking forward to all your adventures and recipes!
I’ve been to that Museum – I love Athens!
Now get posting – you’ve had enough rest lol – we want to hear MORE!!!!
welcome back. can’t wait to hear more about your 20th trip.
Oh, gosh Peter. That calimari looks stunning. No, wait — your entire trip sounds fabulous. Can’t wait to hear more.
Welcome back Peter! Judging by the photos it seems you have wonderful time there! Can’t wait to see more of the recipes coming along!
Your grilled calamari and squid dishes are hands down my favorite of all your recipes, this one looks awesome.
Glad you had a terrific time, can’t wait to read about more of the recipes and food adventures.
LL
Looks great, Peter! And you really got some stunning pictures on vacation. I can’t wait to see more.
Welcome back. We missed you. Thanks for the pictures and for the recipe! Now to find some calamari. If only they swam in Lake Michigan!
Great to have you back Petah…and with such a gorgeous post. What a fab vacation you’ve had…I’m GREEN! What a beautiful country to visit – so much character !
That looks like a full and wonderful trip!
We leave for our first trip to Greece in two weeks – I can’t wait!
Welome back Peter! That souvlaki looks to die for! What beautiful sites to wake up and see everyday.
3400 photos???? WOW.
I am glad you had a great time Peter!
Its good to have you back
Ah..your trip brings back so many memories! Loved your photos and I can’t wait to see what else you’ll come up with.
welcome back! isn’t it nice to have a break? i like this concise post – not too much, not too little info! and stuffed squid – you know how much we love that! always looking for more great recipes for it. this is a winner! can’t wait to hear more about your travels.
Love Greece, love Greek food, love stuffed squid, and love the little mise en place you created on the beach with the venus clam! (That’s really cool.) Welcome back.
Thanks for sharing these Peter, ahve been following your trip in FB & was waiting for your pictures. The food looks scrumptious as usual.
bless your heart for sharing these pictures, peter–it may be the closest i ever come to seeing greece. i’m glad you had a blast, but selfishly, i’m also glad you’ve returned and have lots of good food to show us. :)
Beautiful photos and fantastic recipe!
Welcome back peter and looking to the pics i am so jealous. I would love to visit greece once for the food and the culture.
Thankyou for sharing the pictures.
Welcome back Peter! You sound recharged and ready for a new round of cooking! I look forward to hearing all about it and seeing some more of your recipes. I must say I love the stuffed calamari!
Yay! We’re so glad your back. Greece looks like everything I’ve ever imagined it to be, and more!
Peter, it was a great pleasure for us to spend some wonderful days with you !
We really had a wonderful time, I hope next year you’ll visit us again!!
Have a nice week!
Welcome back! Looks like you had a wonderful (and delicious) vacation. Can’t wait to see more.
welcome back home peter!
Great to have you back Peter and brilliant to see you had such a lovely holiday. The squid looks delicious and I can’t wait to see what other new recipes you have up your sleeve.
Welcome back, Peter! It looks like you had a wonderful time. It’s nice to be able to explore some newer things, even after having gone to Greece 20 times!
Makes me want to go on summer vacation all over again!! Welcome back, my friend- you were missed. Everything looks amazing.
Peter, you did certainly travel all around the country didn’t you? Bravo! The king of posts,this one….mou trexoun ta salia!!!
greetings,
dimitris
Welcome home!
What an adventure – your pictures are gorgeous!
Welcome back, Peter! It is great to see you! :) I can’t wait to hear more about your summer vacation, and see some more delicious recipes! This stuffed squid looks awesome for starters!
Glad to see that you made it back. I was thinking you weren’t coming home.
What a fantastic trip. You were the model for that …um naked statue, right? ;)
Can’t wait to see what you’ve learned to make.
*Sigh* What a beautiful time you had in Greece. Lovely pictures and stories to tell. Glad you are back and so happy you had such a memorable time. Have you ever considered living in Greece full-time?
Peter life is not fair some time…
Welcome back Peter!!! You are like a Storm boy :D… with all these beautiful pictures and new dishes and your overwhelming personality!!! It’s so nice to have you back again :D
Welcome back Peter! It’s great to “see” you again.
Gorgeous photos. I loved the architecture (particularly Mistras) and all of that blue water. I must see Greece some day. Let’s hope my life is as long as my bucket list!
Can’t wait for more photos, stories and recipes. Keep it coming.
My husband’s late grandmother used to make stuffed squid for Christmas Eve. He misses it so much. How I’d love to try your grilled version. It looks fabulous, Peter! Your trip looks splendid. Thanks for sharing!
so glad you’re back Peter, you were missed! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! *hugs*
Great pictures (and recipes). I’ve been checking your website for recipes for a while now (I’m also Northern Greek so I appreciate your palate) and low and behold your family is from the village beside my Dad’s! He’s from Xino Nero and I’ve been to Amyntao many times. I knew there was a reason why I like your recipes. Thanks for sharing.
Love the pictures and the “trip” you took us on! We went to Greece for the second time this summer, and visited many of the places you mentioned. I miss it already!
So many beautiful photos, it has me salivating for more! I have friends that are from Greece and they still have a condo there. They go back every year and kill me with all the fab photos. They’ve offered to let us use their condo, but it’ll have to wait until all the kids are out of the house. Can’t wait!
Such an amazing adventure. I’ve never been to Greece but think I may have too. Your recipes… quite appetizing. It is rare that I can find such great ideas, going to have to try these out one night.. early bedtime for kids!
Rachael West
wonderful reading…I used your picture here http://pickettyblog.blogspot.com/ and left a link. I hope that is OK with you. I am def going to cook this one