The Cretan Diet, a colourful cornucopia of fruit and vegetables

Tucked among the shops and tavernas in Georgioupolis, just off the square, is one of my favourite fruit and veg shops. This was one of the first shops in the village and is a general store, but most importantly it has a great range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Looking at this you can see why the Cretan diet is so tempting and healthy. The fruit and veg, along with fish and a small amount of meat forms the basis of the diet.

A dazzling array of bright fruity colours.

Most of the produce is local and grown in Crete

Juicy oranges, shiny aubergines and tomatoes.

These strange looking fruits are known as "Despoles" or "Mousmoura" you may know them also as Loquats

Beetroot and celeriac

Green beans and wild Stamnagathi

Courgettes with the flowers still on them - The flowers are perfect for stuffing with rice or frying in batter -

Artichokes, Spinach and Vleeta ( another of the local wild greens)

Peaches and nectarines

Locally grown bananas ( yes, really!)

Tasty strawberries

Jewel like cherries. ( There is a cherry festival in the Rethymnon area every year)

Plums and Apricots

The local garlic is smaller but stronger than the cultivated variety

The first watermelons of the season are beginning to appear

red salad onions, bursting with flavour

Early corn on the cob and lettuces

"Horta"

"Barbarofasola"

What is this peeping through the net? - Snails! Yes the greengrocers is the place to buy snails if you do not collect your own!


Inside the shop, freshly baked bread and rolls. Tasty olive bread. Ideal to go with your healthy Cretan Diet.
I will be writing about the Cretan diet in more detail next week. Do's and don'ts if you are trying to lose weight - or just get healthier!