Greek food is often known for being quite meat heavy. Dishes like souvlaki and gyros are the first things that come to a lot of people’s minds when they think of Greece. However, there are also lots of delicious vegetarian and vegan Greek foods. Fasolakia is one great example.
Fasolakia is a popular meze or side dish in Greece. You will find it at most restaurants and tavernas. It is so simple, yet so flavourful! The dish consists of braised Greek green beans that have been cooked in a tomato sauce with olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. The green beans are usually so tender by the time that they have been cooked, that they feel almost like a healthy green version of tagliatelle pasta.
Most international tourists have not heard of fasolakia. However, you should be sure to look out for it during your next trip to Greece. It will probably become a new favourite dish! Portions are huge in Greece so even though fasolakia is “technically” a side dish, most restaurants serve up such huge plates that you can enjoy this as a main.
Fasolakia
This dish is most likely going to be a side dish with a larger Greek feast possibly of spanakopita, souvlaki, potatoes and salad. But if you like this dish a lot you can just make more of it and have it as a main dish.
INGREDIENTS
- 8 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 5 cloves garlic crushed
- 400 gram can of chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup water
- lemon juice
- 5.2 kg fresh French green beans
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 64 grams parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat the olive oil in a pan. Once hot, add in the onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano
- Cook the onions until they start to brown. Reduce to medium heat and add in the tomatoes, water, and beans. Cook for 15 minutes while constantly stirring
- Transfer all of the ingredients into a lidded pot or casserole dish and place it in an oven at 150°C/300°F/Gas Mark 2
- Leave the fasolakia to slow cook in the oven for approximately 40 minutes. The sauce will thicken and the beans will become soft and tender. Check and stir throughout the cooking process
- Remove from the oven and squeeze lemon juice over the dish. (Ideally fresh, squeezed lemon). Sprinkle with salt and pepper for taste and drizzle a little olive oil over the top
- Stir in the parsley and serve
