What’s a donkey doing in a cooking blog? This cute animal is grazing on Mount Hymettus. Certainly it has nothing to do with the blog but this donkey has more sense than most people have.
Each summer we have the same problems. Fires! Today, this beautiful mountain is on fire.
Athens, is surrounded by mountains and in the East of Athens is Mount Hemettus which is just near my house. Just a couple of kilometres from where the picture was taken is where I live. It’s a very beautiful mountain and we usually go and walk in its trails. The mountain is long, narrow, rocky and arid, with flora that numbers over 600 plants, consisting mostly of several kinds of pine trees and cypresses but there are also olive trees, fig trees, oak trees, carob trees, judas trees, citrus trees, eucalyptus and many other kinds and lots of bushes. No wonder why the Attic honey is considered to be one of the best in the world. It’s full of laurel and rosemary, thyme and oregano and lots of other kinds. On the lower parts of the mountain, it’s fauna is, donkeys which are used for transportation where cars do not go, astray cats and dogs but the real fauna consists of rabbits, foxes, turtles, hares, porcupines, serpants and of course lots of birds, among them endangered species. I hope to post some beautiful pictures I have taken of its flora in another post.
Each year a piece of it’s forest is burnt. Last year it was on our side of the mountain and this time it’s on the other side. As I am writing this, the mountain is still on fire, as fierce winds sweep it towards our side. As I hear on the T.V., they say that it is a malicious forest fire as they heard some explosions before the fire. The fire reached the peak and now it’s on our side of the mountain and the aeroplanes and helicopters are throwing water.
We had power failure because of the fire and you know what that means. No cooking, no ironing, no air condition (the temperature is about 90 degrees, no cold water and no internet).
This is really a coincidence as I planned to write about souvlakia which is one of the most popular street foods in Greece.
Sia, of Monsoon Spice, is hosting an event called MPB-Street Food, where we have to find a street food blogged by somebody else having a blog and recreate it.
Souvla means skewers and souvlaki is the diminutive of souvla (little skewer). You can find street vendors selling souvlaki kalamaki, which is skewered meat with a regular piece of bread. However souvlaki is also sold in pita with lots of onions, tomatoes or tzatziki.
I serve them with Sheftalia in homemade Pita, with tabbouleh which is the best salad for souvlaki as it has all ingredients needed for a souvlaki: tomatoes, cucumber, onion, parsley, lemon juice and finally some tzatziki.
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Oh Ivy. I’m so sorry to hear about the fires! These people burning the woods…. I would take them and burn a piece of their body so that they know what they do!!!!! I’m serious about it! I can’t understand why they do it!!!!
Ai, your souvlaki looks so good!!! Can I come for dinner? Still on time?
thats a lovely recipe dear…Check out my blog for a sweet surprise..
Oh Ivy I hope the fire will stop soon, keep us posted ok? We also had 100 degrees and its a little bit early for such heigh temperature.
On the bright side since souvlaki is a perfect excuse for me to eat some more tzatziki, I’m all for it.
Nuria, I am waiting for you for dinner. They are probably doing it for profit Nuria. They are burning the forests to build more houses.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaat….check this out.hey did u see ur award in my blog??
Hetal, thanks for the information. Have read it and it’s nice to learn new things. Thanks for the award. I have left you a message, didn’t you get it?
Hi Nuria, I am waiting for you to come over.
Lore, thanks for your concern. It was one of those horrible days today. The aeroplanes were flying until dusk and they informed us on the news that it is under control.
Good to know it’s under control. They should jail those who stared it.
Lore thanks for checking back.
I certainly hope that the fires are not a repeat of last years devestation. We have a lot of forest fires in British Columbia as well and south of us in the States. Usually they are contained to the forested areas but sometimes get out of hand. Thank you very much for all your kind words Sis!!! If only I had a little stand on a corner somewhere in Greece to offer souvlaki to my customers I would be a happy camper:D
That looks delicious! You be careful over there OK, Ivy? You and your family and neighbors are all in my thoughts!
I couldn’t agree more about what you say about Miss Valli – she is a fantastic cook and she certainly should be an honorary Greek!
Thanks for these great pics of Athens. And as for the souvlaki, I am smacking my lips (it’s lunchtime here – boy, could I use some souvlaki now!).
I’ve been wanting to try souvlaki for a while. Looks wonderful!
I’m sorry about the fires. You live in such a beautiful area.
Thanks Jenn.
Cake and Emiline, wish I could make some for you.
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[...] Souvlakia [...]
[...] pitas are oval shaped and are usually opened and filled with souvlakia and sheftalia and a dry salad, mainly tomato, cucumber, thinly cut cabbage, parsley, onions and [...]