The Greek Way to Easter

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We've finally made it to spring! Though the calendar and the weather may not agree on that, this is a big time of year for my family because it's also Easter season. Not only is Easter a bit later this year, Greek Orthodox Easter and Easter for other Christian denominations are actually on the same day. This doesn't typically happen but it's always interesting when it does, especially for families like mine who celebrate both. There aren't too many differences between the two, but the food at Greek Easter is something that may be unfamiliar to some. It's one of my favorite meals of the year and has a lot going on nutritionally! Here are just a few of the items that were on our menu last year and all of their great benefits.

Main Entree: Lamb Meat


My family does not mess around when it comes to the lamb. It's one of the most nutrient-dense red meats, coming in at 23 grams of protein and only 160 calories for a 3-ounce serving. It's also rich in so many micros like iron, B6, selenium, zinc, and has a whopping 108% of your daily B12. A 3-ounce serving can also contain up to 40% monounsaturated fat, which is a good alternative to being mostly saturated fat.

Side: Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)


Though my allergies have kept me from eating this myself, this is always one of the first dishes to go at our Greek celebrations. It's basically just spinach, feta cheese, and some seasonings layered into flaky phyllo dough. It's no secret that spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense veggies out there with things like iron, folate, and several vitamins. Feta cheese doesn't do too bad either, providing lots of calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and several B vitamins.

Side: Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves)


I could eat so many of these things. The filling inside is a mixture of ground meat (typically beef), rice, lemon juice, and seasonings. They're a great little snack that gives you a good mix of all the macros, as well as several vitamins and minerals from the beef and rice, and the leaves themselves. You can always use a more lean ground beef to lower the calories and substitute brown rice for more fiber.

Dessert: Kourabiedes (Butter Cookies)


My favorite Greek dessert ever! If you've never had them, they have a sweet, buttery flavor similar to a shortbread cookie, but with a little more of a crumbly texture. If I'm being honest, there's not a lot of nutritional value to them on their own. However, I believe part of a healthy diet is allowing yourself a sweet treat at the end of the day, and these do the trick for me!

I always look forward to both Easter celebrations each year, and I always appreciate any opportunity to spend the day with family and eat some good food! :)

GM

References
https://americanlamb.com/nutrition/ 







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