The culinary adventures that come with travel and are, for many, the true highlight of visiting other countries. Certain destinations, in particular, are a must for the discerning foodie on holidays, like Corfu. This beautiful Greek island is home to lots of delicious traditional dishes and a hearty and wonderful cuisine that brings together Greek and Italian influences and unique local ingredients. Sure to please almost all members of any party of travellers with its more exotic and specialised dishes as well as Corfu inflections on dishes that seem quite familiar, it is the perfect place to travel to if good eating is one of your main priorities when on holidays. So, while travel is not quite yet possible, we suggest that when you think ahead to your next getaway, you consider Corfu and Greece as your next destination. If you're not yet convinced by the beautiful scenery, wonderful beaches, and peaceful pace of life, then check out this list of just five delicious dishes that you can try while in Corfu and try to say no.
1. Pastitsio tis Nonnas
A leftover from the era of Venetian rule of Corfu, pastitsio tis nonnas (or, “Granny's Pastitsio”), is a particularly lavish and delicious variation on the lasagna that is often served as the primo piatto (first course) during a family Sunday lunch. It combines thick sheets of pasta, thick macaroni, tomato sauce seasoned with salt, pepper, sugar, grated cheese, sliced hard-boiled eggs, ham, salami, and meat (often finely chopped lamb, chicken or veal in gravy), topped with grated cheese, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Sounds decadent and filling, right? There's a reason that it is usually made for Sunday lunch...you'll likely need a nap afterwards!
2. Pastitsada
Pastitsada is a more well-known dish from Corfu and is actually seen by many as the representative dish of the island. Served at holidays or official dinners, it is made with veal or cockerel, which is browned with spices, onions, and garlic. This is then deglazed with red wine, and then simmered with cinnamon, bay leaf, nutmeg, chopped fresh tomato, tomato paste, and sugar, in which a thick macaroni pasta is cooked. It is then served and eaten sprinkled with grated Kefalotyri. A proper feasting dish and another rather decadent meal, it is a must for any self-respecting foodie who is visiting Corfu!
3. Sofrito
This is another of the representative dishes of Corfu and another dish that makes use of veal, which is common in the cuisine of the island. It consists of thin slices of veal that are dipped in flour and then fried lightly before being layered with lots of finely chopped parsley and garlic and then simmered in oil and white wine vinegar. This delicious fried treat is then served with fava or mashed potatoes. Slightly less incredibly hearty and decadent than the previous dishes (but only slightly), it is yet another great example of the comforting and delicious nature of the cuisine of Corfu.
4. Pandespania
The name of this dish may immediately suggest a hint towards its origins. Literally a type of bread from Spain, these are little cakes that were brought from Spain to Corfu by Spanish Jews who were fleeing the Spanish Inquisition in 1492. A light and fortifying kind of sponge cake that is dusted with confectioner's sugar, these lovely little cakes are a delicious treat to try as you explore the island of Corfu and her culinary traditions.
5. Corfu's Cheeses
The landscape of Corfu supports lots of cows, goats, and sheep and, therefore, there are several different kinds of cheeses produced on the island. If you're a cheese person, Corfu provides lots of new and interesting kinds of local cheeses for you to try during your time on the island! While Feta will likely be familiar to you, for example, the Feta of Corfu is incredibly delicious and a different thing altogether. There is also a spicy version of the famous Greek cheese made on the island that you can try. In addition to the familiar (or not so familiar) Feta of Corfu, there is Manouri a semi-soft, fresh, and very white cheese also made from goat or sheep milk that is similar to Feta but is creamier. There is also a cheese called Kefalotiri that dates back to the Byzantine era and is a hard, dry, light yellow-coloured cheese that is often grated over the popular pasta dishes of Corfu and can be called a Greek Parmesan. Then there is Corfou, which is made from the milk of a local breed. It is a hard white cheese that has a slight tang and is supposedly the Corfiot version of the Italian Pecorino cheese, left over from when they ruled the island. Finally, there are the two cheese spreads on the island, Tirokafteri and Ladotiri. Tirokafteri is usually made from Feta mixed with yoghurt, garlic, olive oil, and a little pepper, which is added to give it a little bit of a kick, while Ladotiri is much the same but with the addition of chili flakes and little bits of chili peppers. Once you get to Corfu, if you're a cheese-lover, we recommend heading to a local store and buying all of the above cheeses to enjoy with a local bottle of wine and some fresh bread in one of our villas some evening during your stay – what could be better?!
So, if you're a foodie in need of a getaway, consider beautiful Corfu for your next trip!