Two days ago was the religious holiday known as Καθαρά Δευτέρα (Clean Monday) here in Greece. Clean Monday is the first day of Lent (Σαρακοστή) in the Orthodox calender. Traditionally, people eat a special type of bread called λαγάνα which is only prepared that day. It is a flat loaf covered with sesame seeds on top. The loaf I bought from the bakery downstairs is pictured here, with a sesame seed close-up for good measure.
Since Clean Monday is a day of fasting and purification, people usually gather in the countryside to enjoy meat-free foods. Seafood is not off-limits, so octopus dishes and fish roe salad are among the local favorites. Kite-flying is another typical activity on Clean Monday. Due to my impending move, however, I spent the day cleaning and packing! I'd like to think that I saved the life of one lucky octopus in the process...except that I don't eat seafood, so that octopus would have lived regardless!
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