Cretan Food: Cheese, Oil, Wine, Seafood
The health of the traditional Mediterranean diet is a well-known fact, but Cretan diet is often attributed as being the healthiest diet of all the Mediterranean cultures. The majority of Cretan food is vegetarian. Fresh produce, vegetables, fruits and herbs are very important in the food of Crete. Fresh baked bread and local cheese are also staples of the diet. Olive oil is the major source of fat for many Cretans. Oil is used liberally on vegetables, mountain greens ( herbs ) and bread and potatoes. Seafood is traditionally a staple of the Cretan diet, however, due to overfishing in more recent times, most dishes do not include fish although octopus and squid are still very popular and frequently used in Cretan food. Lamb is the most desireable of meats in Cretan diet, but chicken and pork are also frequently consumed. Most Cretan food is grown and produced locally including the produce, olive oil and wine.
