My 5 Favorite Gluten-Free Dishes in Greece

Remember that one scene in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" when the family finds out that Ian is a vegetarian and Aunt Voula implores, "What do you mean he don't eat no meat?"  The whole room falls into a shocked silence until she proclaims, "Oh, that's okay, I make lamb." Well, that's pretty much what I expected as a Celiac in Greece. 

Thankfully, I could not have been more mistaken. Not only is the majority of Greek food naturally gluten-free, but the country itself is much more accommodating to food allergies than I had originally expected. Although it broke my heart to say no to pita bread and spanakopita, I still managed to have a delightful time feasting upon traditional Greek dishes. 

While I loved every bite I tried, here are my five favorite dishes that made eating gluten-free in Greece a delectable dream come true:

1. Dolmades

What is it?

Stuffed grape leaves with rice and herbs

Where I ordered it: 

Stelios in Chania, Crete

2. Melitzanes Fournou

What is it?
Baked eggplant with tomatoes, onions, and of course - feta!

Where I ordered it: 
Roka in Oía, Santorini

3. Gyros (without pita)

What is it? 
Meat roasted on a spit, served with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki inside a pita 

(but if you're gluten-free, ask for no pita)

Where I ordered it:
Thanasis in Athens

4. Baked Feta

What is it?
Melt in your mouth goodness, topped with oregano, fresh tomatoes and peppers

Where I ordered it: 
Stelios in Chania, Crete

5. Apaki

What is it? 
Smoked Cretan pork marinated in vinegar

Where I ordered it: 
The Well of the Turk in Chania, Crete

Naturally, I also couldn't get enough of the classic Greek salads, flavorful tzatziki sauce, fresh olive oil and savory Greek yogurt with honey!

If you have Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance, be sure to print out a gluten-free restaurant card like this one to give to your waiters at restaurants. While most Greeks speak excellent English, not everyone knows what gluten is - so it's important to explicitly communicate what you can and can't have. Using this card helped me try many unfamiliar Greek dishes without getting sick.

Do you have any food allergies or intolerances?
 How do you survive them while traveling?
What are some of your favorite Greek dishes? 

Anafiotika: Inside Athens' Hidden Village

As we were weaving our way through Plaka, we accidentally stumbled upon Anafiotika - a small Cycladic village at the base of the Acropolis. The village was built in the 19th century by stonemasons who had emigrated from the small island of Anafi. The workers stayed true to their roots by using architectural styles and colors that evoke the charm of island life. Everything about this tucked away neighborhood is charismatic and picturesque, and I could have spent hours admiring all of the little details. Vibrant flowers crawl up towards faded shutters, while friendly cats lounge in the shade of colorful buildings. Although this is exactly the kind of place where I'd expect hordes of tourists, it felt seemingly undiscovered. This quiet escape from the cacophony of the city was by far my favorite place to wander in Athens. 

How to Get to Anafiotika: 

Anafiotika is located on the northeastern slope of the Acropolis.

From Monastiraki square, walk towards the Acropolis and wind up the narrow streets. 

Metro: Monastiraki or Acropolis

A Little Life Update

Greetings from AMERICA! As many of you might already know, I'm back in good ol' Washington State. I'm spending two months at home in Seattle suburbia before heading back to Madrid for a second year of teaching abroad. It feels good to be home, but it's also been a strange adjustment. So, I'm taking a quick break from Greece posts to update you all on what's going on in the upper left USA:

Reverse Culture Shock is a real thing.

What do you mean I have to pay TEN DOLLARS for a glass of wine? Why is everyone so nice here? Why are strangers asking me how my day is going? How do I tip? Why is everything so big? Do I remember how to drive? How is it possible to buy everything you need in one place? Why aren't the stores closing after lunch? NOTHING IS ANY MAKING SENSE, YOU GUYS.

Wide open spaces? What are those?

Jet lag is overrated.

Friends from the east coast, you have no idea how much I envy you. This nine hour time difference is a giant fun-suck. The full 24 hours of travel didn't help either. I know this is what I signed up for, so I have no right to complain... but "zombie" really isn't a good look on me. Bring on the Melatonin.

I turn 24 in three days.

...and I just found my first gray hair. Cue panic attack. And to make matters worse, I still haven't received my acceptance letter from Hogwarts. What's up with that?

I know how I'll be celebrating this year.

I already miss Spain.

A lot more than I thought I would, quite honestly. While I'm soaking up everything that I've missed about home - like kale salads, Nordstrom, chardonnay, and being able to leave the house in work out clothes without being publicly scorned - I'm realizing that I miss the heart & soul of Madrid so much more than I missed these random comforts of home. But at the same time, it feels SO good to be reunited with my friends and family. Can't I just bring everyone I know and love to Madrid with me?

I miss you, perfect balcony view. See you in two months!

Fellow expats: do you have any tips for dealing with these weird transitions? 

How do you handle having more than one place to call home? 

Please share your wisdom with me!