'Taste of Greek culture': Food Festival volunteers prep goodies for Tallahassee tradition
Tallahassee tummies can start anticipating the Greek Food Festival presented by the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5, at the church.
The festival began in the early 1980s as kind of a bake sale, but has grown over the years to be the third largest cultural event in Tallahassee behind only FSU football and Springtime Tallahassee.
Latin cuisine: From pupusas to pastelitos, here are 17 Hispanic food options in Tallahassee
Soul food: Inside the latest soul food restaurant at Governor's Square mall
Budget recipe: Cheesy Hamburger Noodle Casserole is a budget-friendly wonder | Sharon Rigsby
Volunteers involved in putting this huge festival together say the work is exhausting, but at the same time fun and exhilarating. The festival brings together workers from all walks of life and all their varied talents are utilized from engineering, logistics, cooking, music, dancing, planning and much more.
According to organizers, many of the recipes were brought over from Greece by the parents of some of the founding members. "That means you are eating food just like the food you would eat at a festival in Greece,” festival coordinator Harriet Kanalidus said.
“We want people to enjoy the taste of our food, but we also want people to get a taste of the Greek culture, we want you to feel like you are really in Greece," Kanalidus said. "Our festival is like inviting the community into our home and we treat every visitor to the festival like they are our special guests.”
The first thing you notice when you come to the Greek Food Festival is the aroma. That wonderful aroma of freshly cooked Greek food that is pleasing to the olfactories.
You have your choice of several Deluxe Platters:
Pastitsio
A hearty casserole of seasoned ground beef, Greek-style macaroni topped with a creamy bechamel sauce.
Souvlaki
Succulent, lean cubes of pork skewered and marinated Gree3k-style charcoal grilled to perfection.
Spanakopita
Spinach, feta cheese, and herbs wrapped in flaky, buttery filo.
Tiropita
A savory feta cheese and herbs wrapped in flaky, buttery filo.
Fassolakia
Tasty Greek-style green beans with tomato and onions.
Athenian Greek Salad
Lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers and onions, topped with delicious homemade creamy Greek dressing, feta, Kalamata olives, Salonika pepper and a roll.
Veggie Platter
Homemade meatless Pastitsio, Tiropita, Spanakopita, Fassolakia, Greek salad and a roll.
Other authentic Greek delights are:
Zorba's Gyro
The Gyro is to Greece what the hamburger is to America. Tantalizingly delicious thin slices of beef and lamb wrapped in a grilled flattened Pita and topped with onions, chopped tomatoes, and mouth-watering Tzatziki sauce.
Manoli's Souvlaki Wrap
Choice of succulent lean cubes of pork or chicken, marinated Greek-style and wrapped in Pita bread with tomatoes and onions topped with Tzatziki sauce.
Greek pastry boxes
Of course there are the famous Greek pastries, including everybody's favorite, Baklava and its variations. Almond cookies, wedding cookies, pecan blossoms and many more.
You may want to go ahead and get the Greek Pastry Express Box, which includes Finikia, Kataife, Kourambiedes, Walnut Swirl, Pecan Blossom, Almond Cookie and Baklava.
Whatever you are in the mood for, come to the Greek Food Festival and enjoy the tasty authentic Greek food and also get a taste of Greek culture.
Vic Aderhold operates Vic Aderhold Concepts, a local marketing firm.
If you go
What: Greek Food Festival
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4-5
Where: Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, 1645 Phillips Road
Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Greek Food Festival dishes up spanakopita and culture
