Greek Grape and Feta Salad

Everyone knows that the Greek salad consists of a mix of tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and olives, sprinkled with extra virgin olive oil and some oregano. Finally, some feta is crumbled on top. Simple, straightforward, and healthy.

In Greece, you often see this creation listed on menus as horiatiki ('rustic salad') or therini ('summer salad').

 

The Greek Salad: A History

What not everyone knows is that this salad is actually not a traditional dish. It was created for tourists and has become one of the most famous symbols of Greek cuisine worldwide.

However, the salad was invented only in the late 1960s or early 1970s in Plaka, a neighborhood in Athens, located in the shadow of the Acropolis. During that period, there was yet another economic crisis, and the Greek government decided to set fixed prices for various vegetables and fruits to combat price gouging and support the population. This meant that tourists could also calculate how much a salad should cost. To circumvent this, restaurants added feta to the salad, creating a 'new' Greek salad. The Greek salad was thus invented to earn more from tourists.

 

A True Classic Greek Salad

The 'new' Greek salad was such a success that other truly classic salads faded into oblivion. It's time to address this with the Greek Grape and Feta Salad. This simple salad dates back to a time when tomatoes were not yet common in Greece, though we have slightly modernized the recipe.

 

In Greece, Kefalotyri (and not feta) was often used, but this type of cheese can only be ordered online from specialized Greek webshops in our country.

 

Ingredients:

– 500 grams mixed salad

– 250 grams seedless green grapes

– 250 grams feta

– Salt and pepper

– Extra virgin Yakelos olive oil

– Juice of one lemon

 

Preparation:

– Put the salad in a bowl.

– Add the grapes.

– Add salt and pepper to taste.

– Make a simple vinaigrette with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Pour it over the salad.

– Shave or crumble the feta over the salad after serving.