Greek Dishes Inspired by Italian Cuisine

Suzana Ustabecir has had a long career in education for Chicago Public Schools, including positions as teacher and principal. In her spare time, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys baking sweets and desserts.

A recipient of a master of education in administration and supervision from National Louis University, Suzana Ustabecir most recently spent seven years working as a principal in the Chicago Public Schools system. Outside of her professional life, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys baking, cooking, and exploring Greek cuisine.

In recent years, popular health books and numerous medical studies have touted the health benefits of the traditional Greek diet, which is rich in olive oil, fish, and fresh vegetables. However, a visitor to Greece may be surprised to learn that the term “Greek diet” can mean something very different to those living in different parts of the country. One of these unique culinary regions is the Ionian islands.

The Ionian islands and its most popular destination, Corfu, were occupied by Venetian invaders for more than four centuries, and this influence is noticeable in the food, which resembles traditional Italian cuisine. For example, one of Corfu’s trademark dishes, pastitsada, features pasta and a thick tomato sauce flavored with garlic, onion, and white wine. However, the dish gets its local flavor through the addition of cloves and cinnamon. Another Italian-inspired Corfu specialty is sofrito, a veal dish that takes its name from the Italian word “frito,” meaning fried. Like much of Mediterranean culture, these dishes represent the blending of numerous peoples, religions, and empires in the region for thousands of years.