US Holidays - Greek-Style
About the Author:
Lisa Papageras is an American writer, digital marketing consultant, wife, mother and small business owner from Hudson, OH. She spent her childhood in Pittsburgh, PA and Chautauqua, NY. She has spent 30+ years bouncing between Greece and and Hudson. She loves her family and the Beatles, and strongly dislikes writing about herself in the 3rd person.
As we approach the cluster of holidays here in the U.S., I wanted to get ahead of the festivities by writing about traditional Greek sweets and treats. Halloween is just two days away, followed by Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. While these aren’t the major holidays in Greece as they are here, I’m all about introducing Greek sweets into my U.S. celebrations. They’ve helped me create new traditions for my family by fusing Greek confections into our holiday festivities.
When I was a young girl in Pittsburgh, Halloween was about wearing a heavy coat over my costume, traipsing through suburban neighborhoods, yelling "Trick or Treat," and holding out a pillowcase to collect an assortment of chocolate bars. For those of us raised on Hershey's, Milky Way, and Snickers, Greek chocolate has a distinctly different flavor, often featuring hazelnuts or almonds. After 30 years, I’m still not sure how I feel about the flavor and texture of Greek chocolate. While many people prefer European chocolate over American, Greek chocolate stands apart from the likes of Germany, Belgium, or Switzerland.
Ion chocolate is the brand that comes to mind most when I think of Greek chocolate. My mother-in-law always kept Lacta on hand, offering me little pieces during afternoon coffee, often sneaking some for herself.
My kids grew up with Greek chocolate, and I love to get them special treats for Halloween. This year, I’ve procured Petit Grecs Mini Biskota Olive Oil Cocoa Cookies with Almonds. These delightful cookies will be our family treat after I distribute candy to the 200+ kids expected at my house. Paired with warm milk, they create a fantastic Halloween night ritual while we watch classic fright night shows on television. Michael Myers is still my favorite—thank you, Jamie Lee Curtis!
Treating myself this Halloween 😋 :
Thanksgiving is also not traditionally celebrated in Greece. In ancient times, Greek women participated in a three-day festival called Thesmophoria to honor Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest. However, most Greek Americans celebrate Thanksgiving here in the U.S., honoring this cherished holiday.
This year, I'm planning on cooking a Honey Glazed Turkey using Organic Greek Thyme Honey. Even though the recipe calls for unsalted butter, I’ll substitute it with SIMPLi 100% Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil to keep the bird healthier and juicier. Since I’m not a fan of the canned-shaped cranberry sauce, I’ll serve Traditional Greek Sour Cherry Preserves instead. Out of respect for my dad, I’ll also prepare pumpkin pie just as my mother did.
Shop for my Thanksgiving Selections:
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| Sour Cherry Greek Preserves | SIMPLi 100% Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Organic Greek Thyme Honey |
| $10 USD | $19 USD | $14 USD |
| SHOP NOW | SHOP NOW | SHOP NOW |
I’ve spent one Christmas and New Year’s Day in Greece. The weather in Thessaloniki during that trip reminded me of a Chicago spring—rainy and windy, with darkness falling at 5 PM (1700 Greek time), just like here in the northern U.S. While Christmas isn’t as prominent a holiday there as it is here, the celebrations from December 25 to January 6 (Epiphany) are still delightful. Greeks decorate with lighted boats called "Karavaki," reflecting their maritime history. On New Year's Eve, friends gather to play cards all night.
If you visit Greece during the holidays, you must seek out a "Zacharoplasteio," or Greek cake and sweet shop. These magical little shops could put Willy Wonka to shame! For those who know me, that statement is a big deal because I absolutely love Willy Wonka.
Whether you find yourself in Greece for the holidays or celebrating in the U.S., blending different traditions and flavors into your festivities is a joyous experience. I encourage you to try some of our delectable sweets or share them as gifts this year!
Read on...
Food is about Family - Summer 1989