Sun, Sea, and Souvlaki: A Mediterranean Summer on Your Plate 🍉🌏

#mediterraneanfood Mediterranean Food Guide – Summer Edition Mediterranean cuisine focuses on: * Fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers * Healthy fats, especially extra virgin olive oil * Lean proteins such as fish, legumes, chicken, and yogurt * Whole grains like bulgur, couscous, farro, and whole wheat bread * Herbs and spices including oregano, mint, basil, thyme, sumac, and garlic Greece 🇬🇷 * Tzatziki: Yogurt, cucumber, garlic dip. Perfect with grilled meats or as a side * Greek salad: Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and feta with olive oil and oregano * Grilled souvlaki: Skewers of marinated chicken or pork * Spanakopita: Spinach and feta pie in crispy phyllo, great for picnics Italy 🇮🇹 * Caprese salad: Mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze * Bruschetta: Toasted bread with tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil * Pasta alla Norma: Light pasta with eggplant, tomato, and ricotta salata * Seafood pasta: Mussels, shrimp, or clams in white wine or tomato sauce Spain 🇪🇸 * Gazpacho: Chilled tomato-based soup with peppers, cucumber, and garlic * Tortilla Española: Egg and potato omelet, served cold or warm * Tapas: Small plates like olives, anchovies, marinated peppers, or grilled octopus * Paella: Try seafood or veggie versions for summer gatherings Turkey and the Levant 🇹🇷 * Hummus: Chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic; perfect with warm pita * Tabbouleh: Bulgur salad with parsley, mint, tomato, and lemon * Baba Ganoush: Roasted eggplant dip with olive oil and tahini * Kebabs: Grilled lamb or chicken seasoned with sumac and herbs Summer Must-Haves ☀️ * Watermelon and feta salad with mint * Grilled vegetables like zucchini, peppers, eggplant, and mushrooms with olive oil and lemon * Chilled rosé or white wine, or sparkling water with lemon and mint Simple Mediterranean Meal Ideas 🍝 1. Lunch: Greek salad with pita and hummus 2. Dinner: Grilled fish with tabbouleh and tzatziki 3. Picnic: Spanakopita with olives and watermelon cubes 4. BBQ night: Chicken souvlaki with grilled eggplant and couscous 5. Dessert: Fresh figs or dates with Greek yogurt, honey, and nuts