There’s a scene in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the female protagonist advises her aunt that her new boyfriend is vegetarian.”No problem” says the aunt, “he can have lamb.”

It’s stereotypes like these that made me afraid of Greek food. But like most stereotypes, the movie conveniently exaggerates the truth to get some cheap laughs. With all of ten days experience under my belt, I’m ready to declare Greece a vegetarian friendly zone.

A typical menu in a Greek Taverna is divided into appetisers or mezzes (cold and hot), salads, cheese, mains, and dessert. The first three categories always include lots of vegetarian options (although not necessarily vegan). While some dishes appear on every menu, the choice does vary from place to place so you don’t find yourself having Greek Salad at every meal.

Some typical examples of mezze dishes include fava beans in tomato sauce with dill or oregano, fried vegetables with a dip (i.e. sliced zucchini, or eggplant), stuffed vegetables (eggplant, tomato, capsicum), dolmades, olives and dips.

The mezze dishes are larger than an entree in Australian restaurants so there is no need to turn to the mains section (generally a bad idea unless you’re one of the lamb eating vegetarians).

Every salad section includes the Greek salad with feta, tomatoes, olives and red onion, but there are always more, and often inventive options. For example, a tomato based salad with soft cheese, olives and capers, or a coleslaw like salad (politiki) with a vinegar rather than mayonnaise base.

I am scared and enchanted by a country that devotes a section of its menu to fried cheese. It’s good for the taste buds because it showcases the many varieties of Greek cheese, made from either goats or sheeps milk and using subtle variations, but I’m yet to make it through one of these dishes without thinking guiltily of my arteries.

The mains section rarely has vegetarian options, although we have come across the occasional vegetarian moussaka or vegetarian plate.

Greek food may not be known for its vegetarian friendliness, but I think there’s a lot to recommend it. With an emphasis on fresh vegetable produce legumes, there’s plenty of tasty ways for a vegetarian to maintain a balanced diet in Greece.

Vegetarian in Greece: More posts on Greek veggie food

• Shhh! Greek food is vegetarian friendly
• Cheap vegetarian food in Greece
• Food and wine Santorini style
• Cretan food: not food for cretins
• Central fruit and vegetable markets, Athens
• Filistron mezedes restaurant, Athens

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