Ash Monday is getting closer and the Great Lent is upon us! Following the carnival celebration, Greek families gather around the table to prepare and enjoy traditional Lenten recipes. Authentic delicacies with sumptuous aromas are taking over Greece in an endless party of flavors that everybody enjoys. Yoleni's provides a bunch of choices and is waiting for you to choose the most delightful of them all.

In Greece we call this 40 day Lenten period “Sarakosti”, which is exactly what the word means in Greek; 40 days. Moses (in Mount Sinai) and Prophet Elias (in Choriv desert) fasted for 40 days before meeting with God. During this period, that begins with Ash Monday and lasts until Easter day, no meat is consumed. However, this does not mean that we feel deprived, as there are so many Lenten delicacies which Yoleni’s family is willing to offer you.

One of the most popular Lenten choices is the authentic handmade halva. Either classic or with chocolate and almonds , there are numerous flavors with the guaranteed quality of “Kosmidis-Gavrilis” company. What’s next? Our all-time favorite Greek Olives . In jars or snack packs , plain or stuffed , you can always find them in any Greek table accompanied with traditional fish roe salad and tsipouro . In Yoleni’s shelves you can also find handmade, delicious pickles , stuffed vine leaves , fruit pies , breadsticks and “mezedes” among 2500 products from each and every part of the country. For dessert lovers, we don’t stop here! You can find a big variety of “loukoumi” delights, spoon sweets , Cretan xerotigana , and compotes .

Last but not least, keep in mind that Yoleni's store offers handmade bread… Visit us on Ash Monday in order to taste our delicious “lagana” bread!

Have a nice Lent!