Saronic islands

Islands: Aegina, Angistri, Hydra, Poros, Spetses
Cuisine: Seafood, pine nuts, pistachios, almonds, peppers
Noteworthy Beverage: Ouzo, wine
Cultural influences: Turkish, Italian
Famous Historical Figures: Laskarina Bouboulina, the world's only female admiral and hero of the Greek revolution
Notable Feature: No cars allowed on the islands of Hydra and Spetses

The Saronic Islands are heavily influenced by their close proximity to the mainland of Greece. Starting with Salamina in the bustling Athenian port of Spetses to the north, one travels down to Aegina and Angistri, floating in the Saronic Gulf, to Poros, almost touching the easternmost finger of the Peloponnese and the Corinth Isthmus. Next, it's on to the long, thin island of Hydra, and the triangular Spetses to the south and west of that Peloponnesian finger. The Saronic group also includes many small islets sprinkled across the Aegean like Feta in a salad.

The flame that sparked the 1821 start of the war to reclaim independence from the Ottoman Empire first began on these islands. Humans have lived here since prehistoric times. Rival city-states as well as foreign conqeurors from Persia, Macedonia, Rome and the Axis powers have coveted the islands' strategic positions for countless wars over the millennia. But these islands aren't just ports for ships of war. They offer ample forage for the ingredients in our recipes.

Spetses stands out for its wealth of pines, the givers of pine nuts, which we find prominently in Greek cuisine. Here, one can enjoy spetsofai, which includes the name of the island and the suffix -ai for "food". In Aegina Town, they roast fattened chickens with Anthotiro. On Angistri, one can enjoy Pepper Mushroom Pie and traditionally prepared Bakaliaros (cod). On Hydra, almonds are put to good use for Amygdalota and on Poros, the vast fish harvest is used in dishes such as Fish Bourdeto. If you are not hungry now you soon will be, as your taste buds step off mainland Greece and sail on to the Saronic Islands

By Dean and Catherine Karayanis