Meat and fish
The Cretan diet includes meat, but traditionally was eaten only occasionally. It was not an everyday event. Many families in the countryside had their own animals, chickens, rabbits, sheep, pigs etc and many still have. Vegetables and pulses would eke out the meat. Several time a year the devout would fast. Lent is the time most people know about - but there is also a big fast before Christmas and before the Assumption as well as several days during the rest of the monthly calendar.
Most of the time stews would consist of seasonal veg - here are artichokes, broad beans, potatoes, tomato and fennel.
Here are snails - yes meat but allowed during a fast - cooked with potatoes and courgettes
When meat is eaten it is thoroughly enjoyed - Lamb fricassee
Sausage with peppers
"Souffle" - macaroni, eggs, cheese, bacon
Chicken in red wine sauce
or with mushrooms
Lamb in all forms
Accompanied by potatoes with lemon and oregano
Roast Lamb
Roast pork
Lamb on the spit
Traditional boiled lamb
Kokoretsi
Grilled pork with the ubiquitous "patates"
Souvlaki
Fish is eaten on special feast days of the year.
Sea side villages would eat fish regularly
These days it is not a cheap option
It is not eaten as regularly as in the past
Next time - how to put this all together if you are watching your waistline
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