4/25/10 - Sunday - Askas

4/25/10 - Sunday - Askas

Woke up around 7. Got breakfast going, made coffee. Heard the bells from the church. Fixed cup of joe, sat on the back porch, sipping coffee enjoying the free concert from the church. Had a zucchini and sheftallia omelet with mom for breakfast.

Today, Askas! Have to go see aunt Sofia and cousin Vassos. Borrowed GPS working (have to remember my greek typing all over again), and we're off. We were running a bit early so we stopped by Agros and looked for some smoked meats. Bought some hiromeri, more loukanika, soutzouko, pastelli, paximadia, and some thyme honey. Got a chance to taste something I haven't tried before (I know... how strange is that?) Something called Tsamarella. I'm betting that of maybe 1 person out of all that read this will know what it is. Without further ado, here's the official description from the Cyprus Eating Guide: “Tsamarella is made by de-boned goat's meat which is cut initially in large pieces, salted, then left to dry in the sun. It is then washed, sprinkled with dry oregano whose antibacterial action acts as a natural preserving agent. Boasting a presidium distinction at the Slow Food International food exhibition, it's a wonderful starter and a great accompaniment to traditional spirits such as Zivania” Well with a description like that, who can resist? I'll have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. It sort of felt like a punch to the taste buds – like oregano with hint of meat. Now everything else was great. I'm guessing Tsamarella is not for me.

Shopping done we headed on up to Askas. Found the house, parked and made a grand unannounced entrance. Sofia recognized mom, right away, but she thought I was Pete. After I made the proper introduction she said “I was expecting you to be fatter” HA! I guess if this was last year she'd have been right. Sat down, had a bit of psito and koupepia to eat and catch 30 years' worth of “happenings”. Sofia had (as usual) some excellent homemade wine bottled that very morning. Well, more like strained and put in a plastic water bottle. Man it was good. I think over the past 30 years, Sofia has perfected the strain of yeast in her barrels. I can't say enough good things about it. Truly outstanding. I'm running out of superlatives.

Vassos's daughters want to visit the US. Giddy up! Looks like I may have a project for the summer.

Back at the house, we chill out before heading out to Frixos' house for dinner. Enjoy some good scotch and go pick up dinner. Driving around we stopped at the same joint cousin and I had dinner last night. Well, you know it has to be good. I had the lamb chops. Man, crispy from the coals, juicy, with some zantziki, again it was great.

Random thoughts:

• I think I'm going to go on a quest for the best sheftallies in Cyprus. So far, I've had them 3 days in a row...
• Looks like the livestock game is off the board for this trip. I haven't noticed anything of note other than a few lamb chops...