A Taste of Cyprus: The Top 20 Cypriot Dishes That’ll Whisk You Away to the Mediterranean Island

Introduction: Cyprus, an island jewel in the Mediterranean, boasts not only breathtaking landscapes but a culinary tradition that reflects its rich history. From the fragrant Afelia to the delectable Loukoumades, Cypriot cuisine is a fusion of flavors from the East and the Mediterranean. In this culinary voyage, we’ll explore the top 20 Cypriot dishes, each accompanied by detailed descriptions and key steps. Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering journey to this Mediterranean paradise, where each bite is a piece of Cypriot heritage.

1. Souvlaki

• Description: Souvlaki is a beloved Cypriot dish featuring skewers of marinated and grilled meat, often served in pita with vegetables and tahini sauce.
• Key Steps:
  1. Marinate meat and thread onto skewers.
  2. Grill and serve in pita with desired toppings.

2. Afelia

• Description: Afelia is a traditional Cypriot dish made with marinated pork, coriander seeds, and wine, slowly cooked to perfection.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Marinate pork with coriander and wine.
  2. Slow-cook until tender.

3. Halloumi

• Description: Halloumi is a famous Cypriot cheese, often grilled or pan-fried, resulting in a salty and slightly tangy treat.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Slice Halloumi and grill or pan-fry until golden.

4. Koupepia

• Description: Koupepia are Cypriot stuffed grape leaves, often filled with a mixture of ground meat and rice.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Prepare grape leaves and fill with the meat and rice mixture.
  2. Cook until tender.

5. Tava

• Description: Tava is a Cypriot dish featuring meat (often lamb or beef) and vegetables cooked in a clay pot, often seasoned with herbs.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Layer meat and vegetables in a clay pot, season with herbs.
  2. Cook until tender and aromatic.

6. Sheftalia

• Description: Sheftalia are Cypriot sausages made from ground meat (often pork) and herbs, wrapped in caul fat and grilled.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Mix ground meat with herbs and shape into sausages.
  2. Wrap in caul fat and grill until cooked.

7. Kolokassi

• Description: Kolokassi is a Cypriot dish featuring taro root, often cooked with garlic, coriander, and lemon juice.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Cook taro root with garlic, coriander, and lemon juice.
  2. Serve hot.

8. Daktyla

• Description: Daktyla are Cypriot pastries filled with a mixture of ground almonds, sugar, and cinnamon.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Prepare pastry dough and fill with almond mixture.
  2. Bake until golden and drizzle with syrup.

9. Seafood Saganaki

• Description: Seafood Saganaki is a Cypriot dish featuring a medley of seafood cooked in a rich tomato sauce, often served with feta cheese.
• Key Steps*:
  1. Sauté seafood in a tomato sauce.
  2. Serve with crumbled feta cheese.

10. Loukoumades – Description: Loukoumades are Cypriot doughnut holes, often drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon or powdered sugar. – Key Steps*: 1. Prepare a sweet dough and deep-fry into small rounds. 2. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon or powdered sugar.

11. Kleftiko – Description: Kleftiko is a Cypriot lamb dish, often seasoned with garlic and oregano, and slow-cooked in a clay oven. – Key Steps*: 1. Season lamb with garlic and oregano. 2. Slow-cook in a clay oven until tender.

12. Flaounes – Description: Flaounes are Cypriot Easter cheese pies, often filled with a mixture of cheese, eggs, and mint. – Key Steps*: 1. Prepare pastry dough and fill with the cheese, egg, and mint mixture. 2. Bake until golden.

13. Pastitsio – Description: Pastitsio is a Cypriot baked pasta dish, similar to its Greek counterpart, often layered with macaroni, minced meat, and bechamel sauce. – Key Steps*: 1. Layer macaroni, cooked minced meat, and bechamel sauce. 2. Bake until golden and bubbly.

14. Yemista – Description: Yemista are Cypriot stuffed vegetables, often filled with a mixture of rice, herbs, and ground meat. – Key Steps*: 1. Hollow out vegetables and stuff with the rice, herb, and meat mixture. 2. Bake until tender.

15. Cypriot Salad – Description: Cypriot Salad is a fresh salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese, drizzled with olive oil and oregano. – Key Steps*: 1. Combine chopped vegetables and feta cheese. 2. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.

16. Stifado – Description: Stifado is a Cypriot stew made with meat (often beef or rabbit), onions, and a sweet and sour sauce. – Key Steps*: 1. Cook meat and onions with a sweet and sour sauce. 2. Serve hot.

17. Pitaroudia – Description: Pitaroudia are Cypriot fritters made from ground chickpeas or black-eyed peas, often flavored with herbs and spices. – Key Steps*: 1. Mix ground chickpeas or black-eyed peas with herbs and spices. 2. Shape into fritters and fry until golden.

18. Anari Cheese – Description: Anari is a traditional Cypriot cheese, often served drizzled with honey or carob syrup. – Key Steps*: 1. Slice Anari cheese and drizzle with honey or carob syrup. 2. Serve as desired.

19. Cyprus Delight (Cyprus Loukoumia) – Description: Cyprus Delight, or Cyprus Loukoumia, is a sweet treat similar to Turkish Delight, made from sugar and starch, often flavored with rosewater or citrus. – Key Steps*: 1. Prepare a sugar and starch mixture, flavor as desired. 2. Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar.

20. Tava Kleftiko – Description: Tava Kleftiko is a Cypriot dish similar to Kleftiko but cooked in a pot with potatoes, often seasoned with herbs and garlic. – Key Steps*: 1. Season lamb with garlic and herbs, and arrange with potatoes in a pot. 2. Slow-cook until tender.

Conclusion: Your culinary journey through the sunny landscapes of Cyprus has brought you closer to the heart of Mediterranean cuisine. From the savory Souvlaki to the sweet indulgence of Daktyla, each dish carries a piece of Cypriot history and culture. So, bring the flavors of this beautiful island to your kitchen, savor the tastes of the Mediterranean, and let your taste buds dance to the melodies of Cyprus. Kali orexi!