Souvlaki is one of the most common and delicious Greek foods. You’ve probably enjoyed a souvlaki pita or plate before, but did you know that this mouth-watering Mediterranean meal has a rich and interesting history? Here is some little-known souvlaki facts for you to think about the next time you’re chowing down on your favourite Greek snack.
What Is Souvlaki?
Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish consisting of small pieces of chicken, beef or lamb and sometimes vegetables that are grilled on a skewer. The word souvlaki has roots in the Greek word souvla, meaning skewer (souvlaki means small skewer). Souvlaki is commonly served wrapped in a pita along with sauces and garnishes or on a plate, often accompanied with potatoes and other vegetables. Souvlaki pitas can make great light snacks whereas souvlaki plates can be satisfying full meals.
A Brief History of Souvlaki
Historians and researchers have traced the evolution of the souvlaki alongside the development of Greek culture. There is evidence that souvlaki-like dishes existed in Greece as early as the 17th Century BCE. Stone tools similar to modern-day barbecue skewers have been found on the island of Santorini, which provides proof that spit-roasted meat has been enjoyed by Greeks for hundreds of years. Many famous Ancient Greek writers such as Homer and Aristotle make reference to spit-roasted meats in their work as well. Over the years, kitchen modernizations and new cooking technologies have made souvlaki pitas and plates easier and faster to prepare than ever.
Greek On Wheels: The Best Souvlaki in The Ottawa Area
For fast, convenient and delicious souvlaki in the Ottawa area, visit us or give us a call today at Greek On Wheels. We use only the freshest, high-quality ingredients so you can get the most satisfying souvlaki possible We have souvlaki pitas for a quick snack or full souvlaki platters if you’re looking for something more substantial. For the best take-out and delivery Greek food in Ottawa, give us a call today!
FAQs
In fact, the word “souvlaki” comes from the Greek word “souvla,” which means skewer. Souvlaki was originally made with small pieces of meat that were cooked on a skewer over an open flame. It was a popular dish among Greek soldiers who used to grill meat on their swords during their travels.
How old is souvlaki? ›
Excavations in Santorini, Greece, unearthed sets of stone cooking supports used by the natives of the island before the Thera eruption of the 17th century BC; souvlaki was "a popular delicacy in Santorini back in 2000 BC." In the stone cooking supports, there are pairs of indentations that were likely used for holding ...
Why is souvlaki important in Greece? ›
The origins of souvlaki as slices of meat grilled on a spit date back to ancient Greece. This food, known as obeliskos (the diminutive of obelos – “spit”), was even mentioned in the works of Aristophanes, Xenophon, and Aristotle among others.
What does the Greek word souvlaki mean? ›
▫ The word "souvlaki", pronounced as "soo-vla-kee", has roots in the Greek word "souvla", meaning skewer, therefore souvlaki means small skewer, which is a reference to how the meat is cooked.
What animal is souvlaki? ›
Souvlaki, marinated meat grilled on a skewer, is a Greek fast food. Pork is traditionally used to make the dish, but chicken, lamb, and beef are also common.
How much is a souvlaki in Greece? ›
The subject is being discussed at length in the media, which reports that on average in the Athens area, a souvlaki now goes for 3.30 euros, an increase of 30% compared to last summer. On the most touristic islands, such as Mykonos, it is even sold for more than four euros.
What country eats souvlaki? ›
The beauty of souvlaki, Greece's most popular street food, is its simplicity. Its name is a diminutive of the Greek word souvla, which means skewer. Essentially, it's meat on a skewer, grilled over charcoal and served in various ways, most commonly wrapped in pita bread along with sliced tomatoes, onions and yoghurt.
Is souvlaki traditional? ›
Cyprus is known for its delicious and flavourful traditional dishes, and two of the most popular are souvlaki and souvla. Both are traditional Cypriot dishes, but they are prepared and served in different ways. Souvlaki is a small skewered and grilled meat, typically pork, chicken, or ocassionally lamb.
How healthy is souvlaki? ›
Lean Proteins and Nutrient-Rich Ingredients
One of the main reasons why souvlaki can be a healthy option is that it's typically made with lean proteins like chicken, pork, or lamb. These meats are excellent sources of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue.
Is souvlaki a street food? ›
Souvlaki epitomises Greek street food with juicy pieces of meat, marinated, skewered and grilled to perfection, then nestled into a warm, soft pita.
Town of Livadeia breaks Guinness Record with 201-meter long Souvlaki (videos) Τhe town of Livadeia, in the Prefecture of Boeotia, Central Greece, is famous for its meat and for the way locals roast meat on skewer.
What is a fun fact about souvlaki? ›
Modern-day souvlaki was described by Gustave Flaubert, a French traveler, who observed Greeks "grilling pieces of meat on a bamboo stick" during his visit to the Boeotian countryside of southern Central Greece in 1850. However, modern-day souvlaki was not widely distributed in Greece until after World War II.
Who made the first souvlaki? ›
There is evidence that souvlaki-like dishes existed in Greece as early as the 17th Century BCE. Stone tools similar to modern-day barbecue skewers have been found on the island of Santorini, which provides proof that spit-roasted meat has been enjoyed by Greeks for hundreds of years.
What does souvlaki taste like? ›
The addictive taste of Souvlaki can be attributed to its fresh and flavourful ingredients, the grilling process, and its convenience factor. The combination of the smoky flavour, tender meat, tangy tzatziki sauce, and fresh toppings make it hard to resist.
What is an interesting fact about Greek food? ›
Many travelers who visit Greece don't realize that Greek cuisine has a heavy Turkish influence. Since much of Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire for over three centuries – into the 19th century, in fact – a number of staple dishes, such as stuffed grape leaves and tzatziki, were originally developed in Turkey.
