Everybody knows the picturesque Mouse Island or Pontikonisi as the locals call it, at the entrance of the Gulf of Halikiopoulos, in front of the airport runway, along with the neighboring Vlacherna.
It is the most characteristic landscape of Corfu.
Mouse Island is the first thing that every new visitor sees when approaching Corfu airport, it sits literally in the geographical center of the island, very close to the town, between Kanoni peninsula, Perama, and Benitses
On the top of this tiny rocky islet, there is the 11th-century Byzantine Church of Pantokrator surrounded by dense vegetation, It takes some effort to climb the many steps needed to reach the monastery.
Due to the fact that Pantokrator church was actually a monastery with monks, visits to the monastery are restricted except only on the 6th of August, when the Church is celebrating.
But in reality, the church remains open to the public all year round. The rest of the island can be visited at any time via some small boats that sail regularly from the beach below Kanoni and the Vlacherna island.
Today, there are no monks living there, but the gentle staff of a small cafe bar that is on the island. These can be considered as the only residents of Pontikonisi.
This tiny island is a peaceful place, full of greenery, and an ideal spot to relax for a couple of hours. The ticket for the boat to take you there costs no more than 2€
Name’s origin
The name probably came from the size and especially the shape of the island as it looks from above, although in our opinion the island even with a large dose of imagination does not look at all like a mouse.
Another theory says that in the 11th century in the monastery there were many monks from the Pontos area, so in the beginning, the name was Pontonisi which transformed into Pontikonisi, which sounds more convincing about the origin of the name.
The island also resembles a boat, so the following mythological approach suits nicely.
Homer tells in the Odyssey, that Phaecians (The ancient Corfiots) helped Odysseus (Ulysses) to return home to Ithaca transferring him there with one of their boats, the gods became displeased by this and transformed the returning ship into stone when it entered the port and before the sailors could disembark.
This petrified boat according to Greek mythology is the Mouse Island.
However mythology is not reality, Pontikonisi along with next to it Vlacherna which is a flat tiny islet connected with the land via a small bridge, is extremely picturesque and together with the surroundings is the most known scene that since many decades identifies Corfu worldwide.
Vlacherna islet
It is a small islet opposite Pontikonisi and it is connected with Kanoni via a 300-meter small walk path.
On Vlacherna islet there is a Church with a nice high bell tower, devoted to the Virgin Mary, constructed in the 17th century as a replica and named after Panagia Vlacherna in Constantinople.
The Church has an impressive woodcut temple and beautiful frescoes inside.
Vlacherna islet is small, only about half the size of Mouse Island but it looks about the same because most photos are taken from Kanoni which is closer.
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The historical route of Corfu has influenced the way of life and the culture of the island’s inhabitants.
The language could not, therefore, be an exception. The linguistic idiom that was influenced and shaped during Venetian domination is what we now call the Corfiot dialect.
Corfiot dialect
Corfiot Dialect
Until about 1500 CE, the population of the island was mixed. We had the Greek descendants of the ancient Corinthians who constituted about 60% of the population. On the other side, the Venetian nobles lived mainly in the city of Corfu.
Because of these conditions on the island, a mixed language called ‘Veneto’ was spoken. It was a mix of Greek and Italian as the Venetians spoke. Slightly different than the Italians of southern Italy.
Later and shortly after 1500 CE, a large wave of immigration began with Greek refugees from the Peloponnese, Crete, and Cyprus, who still spoke a language close to ancient Greek.
Immigration took place at the time when these areas fell into the hands of the Ottomans and Corfu was still under Venetian domination.
This resulted in a dramatic change in the constitution of the population in favor of the Greek element. This caused the reduction of the Latin population that was limited to certain parts of the city.
Also because of this event, the Orthodox Christian faith was permanently overwhelmed.
That put an end to the efforts to convert to Catholicism been attempted from time to time by many conquerors, especially by the Andegavs when they had the island under their sovereignty, around 1300 CE
The Catholics of course existed and still exist in significant numbers in Corfu. They constitute the second doctrine of the population.
But the Corfiot linguistic idiom evolved following the Greek grammar and syntactic while incorporating too many Italian words. Since of course the Greeks first added Greek endings to these words!
This process gave rise to the Corfiot dialect, a variant of the Greek language incorporating Italian-Greek words while adhering to Greek grammar and syntax.
It is essential to emphasize that this dialect shows absolutely zero influence from English or French whatsoever.
Let’s not forget also the special accent of the Corfiot dialect. A much more singing-like, that is the result of its comradeship with the Italians.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the use of Italian words was so extensive. The locals could talk with each other without being understood by the rest of the Greeks.
But this has changed over the years.
Now the Italian words used at that time, after the death of the older, are almost forgotten. They are not used anymore but constitute a museum part of the linguistic evolution on the island.
Before being forgotten, however, many managed to pass through the rest of Greece and integrate into our language. This is obvious by studying these words and their origin.
This is a phenomenon that happens in all living languages of the world. As the English language has 30% of the words having Greek roots, also in the Greek language, we have words of Italian, Slavic, and Turkish origin.
Of course, the Corfiot linguistic idiom is part of our historical culture and a sign of the Corfiot identity.
Efforts should be made not to be forgotten by recording and keeping these words in books that we would call museums of language or using them in various events that happen on the island.
And this is what happens in the well-known Petegoletsa. They are theatrical performances of the road and are played during Halloween. The Petegoletsa contains dialogs full of these words.
These performances help maintain the tradition. The inhabitants of Corfu, of course, do not use these words anymore. Although they know them very well.
Most of these words now sound very funny and make people laugh, we invoke them when we want to laugh at something.
So, if you ever find yourself in Corfu and get to watch either the Petegoletsa or some other theatrical show do not even think that this is the language spoken in Corfu today!.
Below we will try to present a large list of these words and expressions along with their meaning.
We want to record the words used by our ancestors for historical reasons. Also due to our respect for tradition.
We can not deny that we have fun while listening to them, they are really beautiful and original words, remnants of a medieval Greek-Italian lingual salad.
The list includes just a few characteristic Corfiot words with Italian origin and roots from about 5.000 words of this kind in total, but for an English-speaking person, it makes no sense to add them here…
However, if you wish to get an idea keep reading.
In the first column are the words, and next to them is, let’s say, the translation in English. Believe us, it’s not easy to translate correctly those words as the meanings refer to a different era.
Corfu dialect dictionary
Words starting with Alpha
Akleros = very poor man
Akola = very deep, bottomless
Antzoula = type of metal clothing button
Asta = get up
Aste ntoue = imposed on me
Averta panga = continuation
Averto = open space
Avatserno = I have to receive
Abentoros = haggler
Avizaro = warn
Avogadoros = prosecutor
Avogatos = Lawyer
Agantsaro = grab
Agarlizo = I’m stirring
Aggelokrouome = I’m scare
Agerina = fine sand
Agiouto = help
Aggonari = corner in a wall
Akistaro = I make something mine
Akleriazo = I destroy
Akouzaro = I Blame
Aleggros = cheerful, happy
Alabratsante = embrace
Alaskaventza = With the jacket draped over the shoulder
Alafostia = The scarlet fever (disease)
Alegatsiones = explanations
Alimangou = at last
Alipopordies = kind of mushroom
Alipotsakalis = crossbreeding of a fox with a jackal
Alitzerinos = Algerian pirate
Alterados = not feeling well
Alipotanao = to discipline
Aloises = bad women
Amantzalos = poorly dressed
Amente = attention
Amaskaloviza = woman with big boobs
Amidonika = yes
Amiti = oh how
Amolados = unleashed (usually a lunatic or a bad dog)
Amolerno = I unlease the dog
Amorozos or Morozos = lover, chick
Ampantonados = bum
Ampitichi = if it happens
Ampla outarita = absolute authority
Amponora = early
Amonte = let’s go
Anantelos = wayward
Anantaflos = careless or the man prone to accidental damages
Anagkemenos = ill
Anapapsolia, Here, a special explanation is needed; these are hanging bracelets from the ceiling or bed canopy, on which women placed their feet to avoid fatigue during sexual activity. They were also given as part of the dowry to the bride until the 19th century. Well, What did you think?
Anaraida = Nereid
Anaritsia = creepiness
Anafoufou = uncertain
Anemokapsou = disappear
Anesistagos = Anxious or the naughty child
Apasvesta = the lime plaster
Apidi = Pear
Apithono = I put down something
Apelante = the appeal to a court
Apertoura = opportunity
Apiompo = ready
Apodelipa = the rest of
Apothosou = sit down
Apokontriasmenos = besotted
Apoliora = short time ago
Aposimpelo = almost
Arekia = roughly placed
Aresto = the jail
Aravantoula = the hare
Arivaro = I come I arrive
Asistagos = messy
Atzardo = daring
Afidevome = I dare to trust
Afoufou = Distraction
Acharoloisti = mindless, ungainly
Apelo = I throw something away
Apsono or Apsiono = tuft
Words starting with Beta (pronounce as ‘V’ in Greek)
Ventoulo = something with which we push some fresh air to our face
Verde = green
Vavilato = the color of the goldfly
Vagapontis = swindler
Valerozos = deserving
Veramente = at last
Vatema = making sex, it refers to domestic animals
Vaccina = Vaccine
Vatsounia = bramble
Venterouga = the back side of the ribs
Veramente = true
Vesta = robe
Viatzo = trip
Viziganti = poultice
Virtsinos = in debt
Vourdoulio = disgrace or shame
Vourlismenos = crazy
Vordonas = big pimple
Despeto or Ntespeto = stubbornness
Despoutatos or Ntespoutatos = ruler
Destemeli = zone
Destinaro or Ntestinaro = direct
Diagkilos = Devil
Diana = white
Diargyros = mercury
Diaskatze = who cares
Diaskatzos = Devil
Diasonas = large infected pimple
Dotoros or Ntotoros = Doctor
Words starting with Epsilon
Empo = storm
Entesa = I messed up somewhere
Eto = this is it
Edourise = it bear the hardships
Etharapaika = I enjoyed
Eloou mou = me my self
Empetsaro = heckle
Ermokounarito = tramp
Eriastika = I got very cold
Eroumposa = I filled my mouth greedily
Esporso = paying
Efetibamente = really
Ebale posta = he targeted me
Words starting with Zeta
Zampa = kind of frog
Zegkounas = kind of wild vegetables
Ziazo = weigh
Zifo = squiz
Thanatitas = too much freeze
Tharapaika = I enjoyed
Thermoutsa = hot coals
Words starting with Yiota
Imantiniero = I Keep something fresh
Imitaro = mimic
Impanto or mpanto = he left me alone
Impeniaro = I guarantee
Impetsiles = fool
Impetsilita = fooliness
Impostoros = crook
Impoutaro = I’m defiling someone
Inamorados = fall in love
Inbentario = census
Inbestiro = invest
Inkanto = auction
Inkouizitos = accused
Inkomoda = annoyances
Inkontro = business meeting
Inmpanto = abandoned
Inpenio = obligation
Inpoumpliko = in public
Insoma = at last
Intemela or Ntemela = pillow case
Interesados = lobbyist
Interios = entire
Intimados = satisfied
Intimatzion = notification
Intonados = properly accented musically
Ipotekado = mortgaged
Isbetzes = in its place
Isestero = insist
Isponero = I am interested
Words starting with Kapa
Kaetai(mou) = seems to me
Kazo = fact
Kazo mplanko = grand fact
Kazo pensato = premeditated action
Kazo atsintente = accident
Kaltsa mpraga = men’s socks of nobility
Kamara nta ritsebere = hall vestibule
Kamara nti tsibile = Mansion living room
Kantaros = earthenware, basin
Kanto = song
Kapo nte fiori = cauliflower
Kapos = cheef
Karlakas = frog
Kastike (mou) = I thought
Kentroma = grafting onto trees
Kikara = cup
Kabalos = jacks and decks because these cards have knights (kavalarrides = horsemen)
Kabaloutsi = carrying someone on the back
Kabatzaro = i go pass someone
Kadinatso = iron dragster
Kakontramados = bad dressed man
Kalopezoulos = honest
Kalohairetis = polite
Kamalimagkou = at last
Kamiziola = short women’s traditional jacket
Kampoula = smoke or fog
Kanaleto = gutter, gutter for rainwater
Kantsoneta = popular song
Kantouni = narrow street
Kantsilieris = secretary
Kaouriko = very hot pepper
Kapitolo prompatori = strong evidence
Kapatsaro = tame
Kapolaboro = artifice
Kapouralos = the boss
Karataro = count
Karatelo = large barel
Kapotsino = small carriage
Kartelo = small barel
Kartezi = 1/8 of a galon
Kartoutso = 1/4 of a liter
Kasadoura = the door frame
Kasaforte = safe deposit box
Kastelanos = castle owner
Katsibelo = inferior, insignificant
Kenono = serving
Ki ‘anteso = and now what?
Klaniola = fart tool
Klitsinari = long branch
Koitasi = fall in sleep
Kogionaro = make fun of
Kokariki = the pit of the olive
Kolarina = tie
Koletantes = dressed with tie
Koliantza = diarrhea
Koloentses = affections
Kolompimpiri = sup with just pasta
Kolorados = colored
Kolpiro or Korpiro = get very tired
Komintoro i pomintoro = tomato
Kompebelos = reactionary
Konsaro = foist
Kontrampado = smuggling
Kontraposta = controversial position
Konfermados = confirmed
Kourtelatsa = stone quay
Kouarelaro = stair with the eyes
Kougiampalo = old fart
Koukounaki = sitting on the knees
Kouraro = I care
Kornoutos = cuckold
Koutelitis = bad wine that makes your head bad
Koutseli = small dog
Koutsoheristika or koutsoheriastika = my hands got tired
Kouhtio = old crippled man
Kratimara = paralysis of the hands
Kroubentziana = Hide and seek, children’s game
Kryogatsoulo = someone who feels very cold
Konkses = stubbornness
Kotolo = traditional dress for old women
Mores kai katsides = curse
Ntale kouale = the same
Ohia kai monomerida = answer to an unpleasant refusal
Tarantela Kariera = posting boat
Fora Kolompa = he took it all in stride
Words starting with Lamda
Lampena = kind of fish of the deep
Lahtisa = i felt pain
Likasma = infection, mainly in the mouth
Linto = diluted, weak
Litsino = made from wood of olive tree
Labadouros = sink
Labamas = sink
Labomanos = sink
Laboro = work
Laggeyei = his eye is flying
Lamasa = pdefiant or large unruly woman
Lapante = clean
Laourentis = master’s assistant, mainly in construction
Lapresta = quicly
Larono = Calming down
Lementados = complaining
Letrina = toilet
Lefti psomi = loaf
Leyterida = bat
Ligathinos = weak, getting ill easy
Ligkio = hiccup
Likazo = I get just a little taste, I don’t have time to eat it..
Likasionas = slug
Limpa = the balls
Lionteritsino = castor oil
Liosta = olive mill waste
Lougretsio = very old woman
Louta = I got completely wet
Words starting with Mi
Mamalos = limp
Mantoles = almonds with sugar
Mantzaro = I eat
Moustakas = cricket
Miligkas = meninges
Mazeni = tool for grinding coffee
Makarontsini = short and small macaroni
Malathraki = disease of skin and spirit, has a lump on the head (malakia)
Mantekouto = stroke
Margomenos = numb
Markantiko = grosery shop
Mastelo = vessels for washing clothes
Matsola = wooden hammer
Meliggitis = miniggitis
Mi siftakeis = to fail to reach
Miatzimias = at once
Minaro = masturbate
Mintzibiris = skimpy
Morofinto = middle wall
Morseto = wooden vise
Morozos = lover
Moskiera = hanging cage mainly for bread
Mosteritsa i bosteritsa = small lizard
Mouzeto = mask
Mourdoulis = prone to get dirty
Mouzariola = dog muzzle
Mpatelo = small wooden boat
Mparos = rock with vegetation in the sea
Mpiga = crane
Mpagordantes = he knows to eat well
Mpaligaro = I catch someone, I bring him into my ideas
Mpaltsamados = embalmed
Mpaniomaria = way of cooking eggs
Mparoufantes = trouble maker
Mparoufa = trouble
Mpastakounados = standing
Mpartsoleta = funny speak
Mpataro = upset
Mpatelo = wooden boat
Mpatselados = crazy
Mpertouela = hinge
Mpikerini = small glass
Mpirmpitsiola = children’s team game
Mpitsikleta = motorcycle
Mpokoleta = earring
Mponagratsia = curtain rod
Mposketo = garden
Mpotsoni = glass jug
Mpoukaleto = jug
Mpoukalina = bottle
Mpoukoubala = bread in olive oil
Mpouleti = lottery ticket
Mpoumpoulas = big black insect
Mpoursa = hidden pocket for money
Mpriskoula = a game with cards
Mprokado = extra pay for good work
Mpontzos or Mpotzos = small balcony
Momolos = monkey
Mosteras = large lizard
Pounta malinia = pneymonia
Words starting with Ni
Nespola = loquat
Nekriasmeno = sleeping like dead
Nerokonida = chilblain
Neromploutsi = foof without taste
Netaro = I finish with something
Neyrida = neuralgia
Nibelo = alfadi
Niokatsente = everything ok
Niorantes = exhibitionist
Nodaros = notary
Noumpoulo = A Corfu cured meat
Nteno = I stack
Ntabas = clay mug
Ntemela = pillow case
Ntzia or Tzia = Ant
Ntrimono = I hide secretly
Ntrita linia = straight line
Ntoltse = kind of oranges
Ntontolos = one who has one ball only
Noberos = he who is silly
Nona = grand mother
Nontsolos = neocorus
Ntefetados = one who has health problems
Words starting with Ksi
Ksiskepos = naked in bed
Ksekenti = at the end
Ksempourizo = kick out
Ksepyrise = the nose bleeds
Ksinitas = sour wine
Ksompliazo = gossip, I say bad words
Words starting with Omicron
Obola = money
Ontsolos = candlelighter
Orse = Corfu muja, orse, (there is not a specific translation)
Okoupados = busy
Ompia = obsession
Ompligados = obliged
Onore = honnor
Opstante = welcome
Oritsikas = the base of tail
Ordino = decree
Words starting with Pi
Parla = chatter
Peka = caprice
Pelisa = I throw something useless
Petsiko = tanned
Pila = large barel for olive oil
Pinta = pewter cup with handle
Pirola = fola, poison in the food for small animals used decades ago.
Pagkouli = small stool
Palaiouthe = since the old times
Pangkoui = paying hand by hand
Paniolo = the deck floor in a small ship
Papalina = small sardine
Parabento = protection from strong wind
Paramonas = hunter ambush point
Partsinebelos = the boss
Parontzolo = sucker
Pasapronto = spaghetti strainer
Patatona = the sweet potato
Paylosyka = the prickly pears
Pekados = capricious
Pensatos = thoughtful
Piperoni = pepper
Pergoulia = grapevine
Perouaro = I am resting
Pertsipitados = stubborn
Peskada = fishing
Petegolo = gossip
Pitiki = bitter
Pitsikoli = small child
Piatsa = square
Piatsebelos i piazebelos = plentyful
Piniata = copper cauldron
Pitsikamortis = grave Digger
Pitsouni = pigeon
Pitoros = painter
Podologos = cloth that women put on their heads to carry things
Pomintoro = tomato
Pontelo = support
Pontigio or pontilio = stubbornness
Pontidos = spiky
Portoni = garden’s gate
Postitsio = tentatively placed
Poutsarona = too much dirt
Poumpliko inkato = auction
Prebantorio = orphanage
Prebedouros = foresight (commissioner during Venetian rule)
Pretsipitada = lively or sprightly
Probato = I walk
Pryobolos = old kind of lighter with a wick
Poberos = poor
Pontes = small wooden pier
Words starting with Ro
Resto = the rest
Ramolimento = old man with softening of the brain
Raporto = report
Reberentzes = hgreetings
Regalo = tip
Rekousiniaro = compromise
Remegkou = fluttering
Rementzo = oars
Rementio = therapy
Rempartaro = upset
Sita = sieve
Sagiadoros = door handle
Salado = salami
Salamistrado = salty
Saltsada = cobbled street
Sampieros = John Dory
Sartsada = garden
Sgorna = watercourse
Sestados = neat
Siora = lady
Sior = sir
Skanio = chair
Skarda = clove
Skabentzo = remnant
Skalinada = stone road staircase
Skarmoutso = roll of coins
Skartsouni = sock
Skatzia = shelf
Skafoni = wooden press for grapes
Skepeto = gun for hunding
Skertsados = mad
Skiaomai = I scare
Skletza = wood spike
Sklempou = peskandritsa, a small fish
Skotitas = scotodin, poultry disease
Skoutzikas = large lizard
Sonaro i Souonaro = play music and sing
Sospeto = suspection
Soulatso = walk
Soukeras = big fig
Soumpito = soon
Speoulo = embankment
Spabento = surprise, agitation
Spalabieri = special trowel
Spatsaro = I sell out and leave
Sperna = evening hut, but made only in a special day in October.
Spetseriko = special spice mix for Patsitsada
Spetsieris = pharmacist
Stia = the fireplace
Stoua = suffocating atmosphere
Straisto = a kind of bag
Stretos = narrow
Stringka = thin board
Strampalados = peculiar person
Stronizo = I change side in sleeping
Sfalaggi = small kind of spider
Words starting with Taf
Tarama = too much cold
Tamparo = heavy jacket
Tankoui = pouch
Tablatso = square board
Taylokounia = moves a lot, here and there, not steady
Taylomastela = washing board in mastelo
Teleri = glass frame
Terefos = defective
Tetartia = he broke in pieces
Tetartiastika = I broke in pieces
Tzitziras = cicada
Tzaleti = cornmeal fritters
Tzardini = small garden
Tzogatoulo = something that gets broken easy
Tzitzifionkos = conceited
Tzournada = women’s daily wage
Tzoukariera i tsoukariera = sugar bowl
Tzousto = exactly
Tzobeno = an old man pretending the young
Tzogia = Joy
Tortsonia = big candles
Toulouposou = wrap up
Tritsa = psathin chapel
Trabentzo = transfusion
Trampouko = corruption
Trataro = I buy drinks
Tratamento = drinks for everyone
Triko = sweater
Tritseli = tripod
Trohalos = wall with plain stones
Tsantos = Aleksandros
Tseroula = kind of small fish that ressembles sardine
Tseta = gang
Tsima pila = on the edge
Tsito = chasing a cat away
Tsapela = dried figs strung on a rope
Tsantsamini = Jasmine
Tserbelo = mind
Tsigkri = teasing person
Tsiritzantzoules = tricks with words
Tsitsimpyra = Gingerbeer
Tsoutsa = chutcha
Tsokolo = skirting board
Totso = too litle
Words starting with Ypsilon
Ipounto = exactly
Words starting with Phi
Faousa = gangrene
Faborebole = favorable
Falimento = bankruptcy
Famozos = famous
Fanestra = window
Filania = central beam in roofs
Filistoka = large document
Fiorados = adorned with flowers
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Bianco (Italian Bianco = white) is a delicious fish dish that resembles a fish soup but has nothing to do with it.
One of the most famous dishes of Corfiot cuisine made with fish of almost any species even with codfish, here we offer you the traditional recipe for 4 people.
Bianco fish
A very simple and easy-to-use recipe that does not require over 40-45 minutes to make. This is the same recipe made by Nikos Belos in its restaurant Klimataria in Benitses Corfu.
Ingredients
4 or whatever you want medium-sized fish, suppose in the recipe we use fresh cod.
4 cloves Garlic, whole.
100 grams or nearly half a glass of fresh lemon juice
3 potatoes sliced
Black Pepper
100 grams of virgin olive oil
How to make it
Put the oil in the pan together with 2 glasses of water, garlic, and half a teaspoon of sweet pepper.
Almost put together the fish and potatoes so that they are evenly covered by the water if we do not fill in a little. Add some salt if the fish were not salted.
They boil it all on a regular fire until they shed some water without water.
Try the flavor, add some salt and add the lemon juice.
Leave it only half a minute and take it out of the fire immediately.
Cover it and in 2 minutes it’s ready to serve.
As you can see, it’s a simple and fast dish that is very tasty.
Anchovies and generally that sort of fish are suitable for Bianco, but sardines do not because they are very fat.
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Bourdeto is another Corfiot fish dish that also comes from Venice.
It is made with fish from the deep, mainly scorpions with two or three perches together for better taste, but also with rhubarb or octopus.
Bourdeto
We are lovers of Bourdeto with skate-fish or octopus but here we will present you the authentic recipe made with scorpions which is delicious.
The recipe is for 4 people and it’s the one made by Nikos Belos in its Klimataria restaurant in Benitses Corfu. This is how our ancestors used to make it in Benitses.
Simplicity, freshness, and tradition are the secret of Nikos.
Ingredients
10 to 12 scorpions cleaned of scales and offal only, leave them with their heads.
2-3 small perches for a stronger taste, both cleaned and with their heads.
1 big Onion chopped into small pieces with a knife
A large soup spoon of sweet red pepper
A pinch of hot red pepper
100 gr of Olive oil
100 grams of fresh lemon juice, from fresh-cut lemons!
In some villages in Corfu, they also use tomato sauce in Bourdeto, but in the old traditional fishing village of Benitses the original recipe is made without any tomato and the red color is due to red pepper only.
If you like tomato sauce, use it, but this is not going to be Bourdeto.
How to do it
Put the finely chopped onion in the saucepan with some oil and let it boil.
Add the large spoonful of red sweet pepper, a pungent hot red pepper, and the rest of the olive oil.
Continue cooking it.
Put a large glass of water
When it boils and is near to stick, we add the fish and two more glasses of water until the fish is completely covered.
Allow boiling on a normal fire until it is almost dry from the water.
Put the lemon juice inside.
Wait for another minute and remove it from the fire cause it’s ready.
Note: Scorpion fishes have small bones like nails, therefore are dangerous and you need to be very careful as you eat them.
As you noticed, the real traditional recipe is made with the fish intact with all their bones because it is more tasteful.
In case you are worried about the dangerous bones you can clean the fish from their bones prior to cook, but the sauce won’t be such delicious, it all depends on you.
Also, using another kind of fish can solve the small bone problem, a highly recommended fish is dogfish or chestnut.
This same recipe applies to codfish and octopus, in these cases, you can add potatoes too.
One of the things that draw me back to Greece time and again, aside from the sunshine, culture, and friendly people, is the food. The Greeks know how to eat… Read More
Here is the authentic original recipe of Pastitsada, complete with the ingredients and instructions for preparing the most characteristic dish of Corfu’s cuisine.
This recipe serves approximately 4-5 people, and to stay true to tradition, we use rooster meat. Of course, you have the option to substitute with beef or chicken in the same recipe.
Pastitsada
Ingredients
3 large onions (Pastitsada requires a generous amount of onions)
Approximately 1.5 kilograms of rooster or meat (beef or chicken)
200-250 grams of thick tomato paste
100 grams of extra virgin olive oil
50 grams of red wine
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 kilogram of thick macaroni, penne, or spaghetti (depending on your preference)
Grated cheese, kefalotyri
1 spoonful of Spetseriko (a mix of spices)
Salt and pepper to taste
Water
Spetseriko is the special mix of spices used to create the distinctive flavor of Pastitsada. Typically, a small tablespoon per four portions is sufficient, or adjust to taste for a spicier preference.
The composition of Spetseriko
10 grams of grated clove
50 grams of cinnamon
50 grams of nutmeg
70 grams of sweet paprika
50 grams of cumin
20 grams of hot pepper or red peppers, dried and grated (Bukovo).
Adjust the amount of Bukovo based on your desired level of spiciness.
100 grams of sweet pepper from grated sweet red peppers (sweet Bukovo)
20 grams of grated spice
30 medium bay leaves, crushed into a fine powder
25 grams of black pepper
The above quantities are intended for multiple uses, up to 10 or more servings. Store the mix in a closed glass jar to preserve its freshness and use it for your next Pastitsado.
Time for cooking
Cut the rooster into 4 or 5 large pieces.
Chop the onions into very small pieces, or better yet, dissolve them in a blender.
In a large saucepan, heat 100 grams of olive oil until hot. Immediately add the rooster pieces and move them around until they develop some color.
Add the chopped onions to the saucepan and sauté. Be cautious not to remove the rooster from the saucepan at this point, as some recipes may suggest.
Once the onions have gained a bit of color, pour in the wine and continue cooking until it evaporates.
As it dries a bit, add 250 grams of tomato paste and hot water (enough to cover the top of the rooster).
Once the mixture begins to boil, add one teaspoon or a bit more of the Spetseriko mix, along with salt and a tablespoon of sugar. Stir well.
Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat. Stir occasionally with a large wooden spoon to prevent sticking.
When the sauce thickens, the dish is ready. Set the saucepan aside and prepare the spaghetti.
All the above processes should be done slowly and should take almost two hours! The food is served with pasta, such as thick macaroni, penne, or spaghetti.
Spaghetti or thick macaroni is prepared at the end, just before serving, using the usual process. After straining, you may choose to sauté the pasta in another utensil with a little oil.
Serve the rooster, the sauce, and the spaghetti together. Don’t forget to sprinkle some grated cheese on top.
The same process is followed when using beef or chicken instead of a rooster.
One of the things that draw me back to Greece time and again, aside from the sunshine, culture, and friendly people, is the food. The Greeks know how to eat… Read More
