The Christmas Dinner and the Elves in Skopelos
Christmas holidays are the ones with the warmest feelings. At the same time, they are the ones with the most delicious and rich meals. Family and friends enjoy love-filled moments of carefree relaxation. Especially children are the most joyful of all, as they await Santa Claus’ gifts and carols.
In every place in Greece, there are specific Christmas customs and traditions. There are also different menus. Christmas on Skopelos has its own unique atmosphere. The Christmas tables of Skopelos usually consist of the following dishes and sweets.
Christmas Dinner
A classic Christmas table in Skopelos, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, usually includes eggplant yogurtlou (with yogurt) as an appetizer, and pork or chicken stuffed with plums as a main course (traditional local recipe). In earlier times, after the church service, Christmas Day was followed by goat soup.
The table never lacks the traditional bread of Christ (Christbread), with a cross kneaded on it.
New Year’s Day Dinner
The menu is a little different on the eve or day of the first of the year. The Christmas bread is replaced by the holy bun of Santa Claus. This is especially popular with children. The main course is usually a delicious rooster stew with potatoes.
The attraction of the first day of the year is the Vasilopita! Whoever wins the coin hidden inside will have luck for the whole year.
Christmas Desserts
Christmas sweets are delicious, which is why they have a huge following. At all tables during the Christmas holidays, melomakarona, kourabiades, diples, baklava, and especially in Skopelos, loukoumades are not missing.
In addition to the traditional recipes, there are now delicious variations of these classic sweets.
Elves and Goblins in Skopelos
Elves are tiny, naughty creatures of the imagination. In the past, people described them as ugly, short creatures with pointy ears, unkempt long hair, and funny little hairy hands. Nowadays, they have taken on a funnier and sweeter aspect. They are still just as cheeky. As in many regions of Greece, in Skopelos, the tradition is that the elves appear during the Christmas holidays.
Their main concern is to steal the delicious delicacies of the housewife. Their great passion is the dumplings. Because they are very tricky, instead of grabbing the food directly, they prefer to dirty it so that the housewife has to throw it away. Their raids always take place at night as they are afraid of daylight. They are also afraid of holy water. So after the consecration of Christmas, January 6, they disappear into their own magical world until the next Christmas.
Therefore, if you find yourself in Skopelos during these days, you should be careful not to get your food stolen or “stained” by the goblins.
Christmas Recipes
Appetizers
Eggplant with Yogurt is an excellent recipe made in Adrina Hotels Restaurants every Summer.
Meals
Desserts
Skopelos Christmas desserts. The recipes for the Melomakarona, Kourambiedes, and Dumplings are in Skopelos.com Post: Christmas in Skopelos.
Loukoumades is a deliciously sweet flavor, especially with the recipe of Adrina Hotels Restaurants, made with traditional honey.
