Ikaria – Cookbook Giveaway

Enter our US/UK/AU/NZ giveaway to win one of three copies of Ikaria: Food and Life in the Blue Zone by Mary “Meni” Valle.

Ikaria is known worldwide for its incredibly high life expectancies and low rates of chronic disease, much of which can be attributed to diet. The inn owner where Meni stayed answered the question “What do you think is the secret to longevity?” as follows “… here in Ikaria, we do not try to add years to our life. Instead, we add life to our years. We make the most of every day.”

This is a good philosophy and certainly, one that is easier to embrace when surrounded by the beauty of this Greek island. It is difficult to make the most of each day when stuck on a crowded subway car or in bumper-to-bumper traffic with the honking of horns instead of enjoying the seagulls soaring over the crystal blue water of the Aegean Sea. At least we can adopt the cuisine of this lifestyle with this stunning cookbook and work on finding zen.

Born to Greek parents, the author has always been fascinated by her family’s traditions of cooking and eating. While visiting Ikaria, Meni collects traditional recipes from across the island which reflect the best of Mediterranean food: vegetables, beans, whole grains, small amounts of meat and fish, a couple of glasses of wine, and plenty of olive oil. The stories of Ikaria are also shared, where life is all about taking time: time to cook, to eat, to nap, to spend with family and friends, to enjoy, and to appreciate.

With intimate glimpses of the island’s festivals, markets, kitchens, and people, Ikaria is a cookbook that will transport and transform you at least until you are again stuck in traffic late for a meeting.

Our EYBDPreviewButton takes you inside this beautiful book and features the following EYBD Recipe Button

Special thanks to the publisher for offering three copies of this title in our US/UK/AU/NZ giveaway.  Entry options include answering the following questions in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post and this forum post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on April 9th, 2021.

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220 Comments

  • miznic  on  September 9, 2020

    stuffed eggplant (Imam) – that just sounds so good

  • southerncooker  on  September 9, 2020

    Many recipes sound really good. I thith I’d start wit collard greens and potatoes.

  • matag  on  September 9, 2020

    Stuffed zucchini flowers

  • Reecie  on  September 9, 2020

    I would try the Sweet Potato Salad recipe first up!

  • stepspior  on  September 9, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters (Patatokeftedes

  • thecharlah  on  September 9, 2020

    Sweet potato salad (Salata glikia patata)

  • DarcyVaughn  on  September 9, 2020

    Baked beans (Fasolia sto fourno)

  • Nhcookingdiva  on  September 9, 2020

    The jam tarts sound SO good!!!

  • kmn4  on  September 9, 2020

    Semolina halva (Halvas simigdali)

  • riley  on  September 10, 2020

    Orange pie with filo and syrup

  • ljsimmons  on  September 10, 2020

    Jam tarts please !

  • JRumi  on  September 10, 2020

    Mushroom pie

  • LeilaD  on  September 10, 2020

    Agree on the stuffed eggplant

  • lean1  on  September 10, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • sarahawker  on  September 10, 2020

    Mushroom Pie

  • ccav  on  September 10, 2020

    Savory Pumpkin pie (Kolokithopita 1) sounds delish! So many other things. I dream of visiting Ikaria some day!

  • dbranigan27  on  September 10, 2020

    I would try Orange pie with filo and syrup (Portokalopita). It sounds interesting.

  • Siegal  on  September 10, 2020

    Mushroom pie

  • bjamison01  on  September 10, 2020

    chili and feta dip

  • KitKatCat  on  September 10, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • estey  on  September 11, 2020

    vegetarian moussaka or stuffed eggplant!

  • pappaslauren  on  September 11, 2020

    Spinach with rice (spanakorizo) sounds wonderful

  • Vadill01  on  September 11, 2020

    Stuffed Eggplant is a winner for me

  • debbiehb  on  September 11, 2020

    Black-eyed pea stew (Fasolia mavromatika yahni)

  • Uhmandanicole  on  September 11, 2020

    Stuffed zucchini flowers!

  • Rinshin  on  September 11, 2020

    Vegetarian moussaka

  • RSW  on  September 11, 2020

    Zucchini fritters (Kolokeftedes)

  • wildchild  on  September 12, 2020

    Jam tart (Tarta me marmelada)

  • lapsapchung  on  September 12, 2020

    Split pea dip with caramelised onions

  • mpdeb98  on  September 12, 2020

    Baked vegetables with eggs

  • roxlet  on  September 12, 2020

    Stuffed eggplant

  • vhfvhf  on  September 12, 2020

    stuffed eggplant

  • LEKcookbooks  on  September 12, 2020

    Either the Black-eyed pea fricassee or stew

  • ravensfan  on  September 12, 2020

    Spinach with rice (Spanakorizo)

  • youngsvnnhrs  on  September 12, 2020

    Sweet potato salad (Salata glikia patata)

  • t.t  on  September 12, 2020

    Stuffed eggplant (Imam)

  • hrk  on  September 12, 2020

    Vegetable stew (Mageirio)

  • Roosta  on  September 12, 2020

    Chili and feta dip (Kopanisti)

  • akrupnick  on  September 13, 2020

    Sweet potato salad

  • MarciK  on  September 13, 2020

    Mushroom pie (Manitariapita)

  • lizr  on  September 13, 2020

    Baked beans!

  • size_27  on  September 14, 2020

    Calamari in wine (Calamari krasates) – love a bit of squid.

  • Dannausc  on  September 14, 2020

    Chili and feta dip

  • hbakke  on  September 14, 2020

    Orange pie with filo and syrup (Portokalopita)

  • linmulholland  on  September 14, 2020

    Mushroom pie!

  • fmd518  on  September 14, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • Laura1  on  September 14, 2020

    Sweet potato salad (Salata glikia patata)

  • gilmonster  on  September 14, 2020

    stuffed eggplant

  • moralla  on  September 14, 2020

    Chili and feta dip

  • Jewby  on  September 15, 2020

    Can’t wait to try Chili and feta dip (Kopanisti)

  • beanz187  on  September 15, 2020

    The Stuffed eggplant (Imam) sounds amazing so I’d go for that.

  • Ajh55  on  September 15, 2020

    Always in search of the perfect zucchini fritter

  • maci234  on  September 16, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • ChrissyJane  on  September 16, 2020

    Calamari in wine

  • bryanmurphy  on  September 16, 2020

    Sweet Potato Salad

  • NaomiH  on  September 16, 2020

    Black-eyed pea stew (Fasolia mavromatika yahni)

  • jinni  on  September 16, 2020

    Stuffed vegetables (Yemista lahanika) I love stuffed vegetables.

  • Isis1981uk  on  September 16, 2020

    Taro root skordalia (Kolokassi skordalia)

  • gillsil  on  September 16, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters – they sound wonderful – mmm!

  • sgreiff  on  September 17, 2020

    Sweet potato salad

  • Dendav  on  September 18, 2020

    Jam tarts.

  • LeMinou  on  September 18, 2020

    Stuffed eggplants

  • roxlet  on  September 18, 2020

    Mushroom pie

  • rchesser  on  September 18, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters.

  • RuthHarwood  on  September 19, 2020

    The jam tarts look tasty!

  • CarolineJulie  on  September 19, 2020

    tomato omelette. Garden is full of tomatoes right now, and peppers and onions. If we can persuade the chickens to pop out some eggs we will be good to go.

  • LaurenE  on  September 19, 2020

    Semolina halva

  • stacymarkow  on  September 19, 2020

    Macaroni with wild greens pesto

  • littleminxgirl  on  September 20, 2020

    The sweet potato salad

  • Chinadoll1174  on  September 20, 2020

    I would like to try the sweet potato salad.

  • Sand9  on  September 20, 2020

    Jam Tart x

  • jd5761  on  September 20, 2020

    potato and cheese fritters!

  • Blackeyedsusans  on  September 20, 2020

    Fish roe dip

  • Jellyfish  on  September 22, 2020

    the grilled sardines with oil and lemon

  • athena13  on  September 22, 2020

    Ooh, so many! Love potatoes and cheese, so would try the potato and cheese fritters first.

  • Ishtar  on  September 23, 2020

    Goat stew

  • MaggieMaggieMae  on  September 24, 2020

    Sweet potato salad (Salata glikia patata)

  • jshippee  on  September 26, 2020

    Boureka me tyri

  • luccio  on  September 26, 2020

    Split pea dip with caramelised onions

  • ktpotat  on  September 26, 2020

    Seafood with wild greens

  • foodie16  on  September 27, 2020

    Baked chickpeas

  • eildoncook  on  September 28, 2020

    Orange pie, filo and syrup

  • kfergey  on  September 28, 2020

    Zucchini Fritters 🙂

  • Leonard5854  on  October 2, 2020

    I’d try pickled mushrooms first.

  • miggsy  on  October 2, 2020

    stuffed eggplant

  • Sanyo12  on  October 3, 2020

    Chili and feta dip (Kopanisti)

  • ruthdenton  on  October 3, 2020

    potato and cheese fritters

  • RickPearson54  on  October 3, 2020

    sweet potato salad

  • nvernon  on  October 5, 2020

    Kathoura pie (Kathouropita)

  • Elve56  on  October 6, 2020

    Vegetarian moussaka (Moussaka me lahanika) I have always been in search of a delicious vegetarian mossaka.

  • Sfgordon  on  October 6, 2020

    split pea dip with caramelized onions sounds wonderful 😀

  • Shelmar  on  October 7, 2020

    Mushroom stew

  • fbrunetti  on  October 7, 2020

    Stuffed zucchini flowers

  • bookmark77  on  October 8, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • bookmark58  on  October 8, 2020

    Orange pie with filo and syrup

  • Velvet_Queen17  on  October 8, 2020

    I love to try the Vegetarian moussaka as it sounds delicious

  • tcjanes  on  October 9, 2020

    Stuffed egglant.

  • lofolky  on  October 9, 2020

    Portokalopita!

  • hisforhome  on  October 9, 2020

    Jam tart (Tarta me marmelada)

  • alicemb  on  October 10, 2020

    I was booked to go to Greece this year but alas. I can cook delicious Greek food instead.

  • swankysweetpotato  on  October 12, 2020

    pickled mushrooms!

  • lpatterson412  on  October 14, 2020

    zuchinni pie!

  • HLadd  on  October 16, 2020

    Pie with amaranth and summer herbs

  • MelW66  on  October 18, 2020

    Orange pie with filo and syrup (Portokalopita) because I just love oranges, and anything sweet.

  • Lora724  on  October 20, 2020

    Baked beans (Fasolia sto fourno)

  • Shana.  on  October 20, 2020

    Stuffed eggplant.

  • ceejayen  on  October 21, 2020

    Zucchini fritters (Kolokeftedes)

  • debra24  on  October 22, 2020

    Mushroom Pie

  • Lkitchings  on  October 22, 2020

    Omelette with spring onions (Omeletta me freska kremidakia)

  • xmasfloweringcactus  on  October 23, 2020

    Baked beans (Fasolia sto fourni) for me.

  • EmilyR  on  October 26, 2020

    Jam tarts

  • hwg3141  on  October 26, 2020

    Orange pie with filo and syrup

  • Quod  on  October 26, 2020

    Zucchini fritters

  • katiefish  on  October 26, 2020

    Mushroom pie

  • Onlyhumanjelly  on  October 26, 2020

    Can’t go wrong with a jam tart…

  • Nick1234  on  October 26, 2020

    Mushroom pie

  • tubbyj  on  October 26, 2020

    Stuffed zucchini flowers

  • shahedc  on  October 26, 2020

    Stuffed eggplant

  • becksta75  on  October 26, 2020

    Jam tarts!

  • banba1  on  October 27, 2020

    i’m with the mushroom pie crew!

  • silversand  on  October 27, 2020

    Baked vegetables with eggs (Lahanika me avga)

  • elisabeta  on  October 27, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • yoeydavis  on  October 27, 2020

    I like the sound of the mushroom pie.

  • birdyscruff  on  October 27, 2020

    Kolokeftedes for me!

  • sweir1  on  October 27, 2020

    Sweet potato salad

  • Katiepants3  on  October 28, 2020

    I’d love to try the Spinach with rice (Spanakorizo)

  • dzm  on  October 28, 2020

    sweet potato salad

  • priyamaine  on  October 28, 2020

    sweet potato salad!

  • NBK  on  October 29, 2020

    mushroom pie

  • sarahkatef  on  November 1, 2020

    The Sweet Potato Salad sounds incredible

  • jimmyadon05  on  November 3, 2020

    Fasolia sto fourno

  • lexa25  on  November 3, 2020

    Zucchini fritters

  • ggogoi  on  November 3, 2020

    Looks like an amazing book!

  • b_knibbs  on  November 5, 2020

    I would like to try making Imam

  • Yatota74  on  November 6, 2020

    Mushroom stew

  • db33  on  November 6, 2020

    The chilli and feta dip sounds delicious!

  • Dhasenkampf  on  November 6, 2020

    Spinach with rice (Spanakorizo)

  • DFed  on  November 6, 2020

    Okra and chicken stew

  • Shelley.b  on  November 6, 2020

    Village salad

  • susanhoggett  on  November 7, 2020

    would love to try the Jam Tart recipe first

  • Laura1419  on  November 7, 2020

    stuffed eggplant sounds delicious

  • ImCookingIt  on  November 8, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters (Patatokeftedes)

  • Lucytricker  on  November 8, 2020

    Pickled sapphire sounds amazing !

  • Lucytricker  on  November 8, 2020

    Pickled sapphire sounds amazing !!

  • aesop57  on  November 8, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • morningpostie00  on  November 8, 2020

    Sweet potato salad (Salata glikia patata) sounds awesome!

  • ickle0ne  on  November 8, 2020

    Spinach with rice (Spanakorizo)

  • lozzle77  on  November 9, 2020

    Orange pie with filo and syrup

  • northwestwoman2020  on  November 9, 2020

    Baked beans (Fasolia sto fourno)

  • sheridarby  on  November 9, 2020

    Sweet potato salad (Salata glikia patata)

  • zeenie  on  November 9, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • jrhymer  on  November 9, 2020

    Jam tart (Tarta me marmelada) would be lovely!

  • molly57  on  November 10, 2020

    Jam Tart

  • Twiddle  on  November 10, 2020

    Mushroom stew

  • DimensionAEB  on  November 10, 2020

    The mushroom pie!

  • cgertum  on  November 11, 2020

    zucchini fritters

  • Lruge  on  November 11, 2020

    small cheese pies

  • cellenly  on  November 12, 2020

    Baked chickpeas (Psita revithia)

  • kellymolly  on  November 13, 2020

    fish!

  • angelaknits  on  November 13, 2020

    Vegetarian moussaka sounds delish!

  • HomespunHouse  on  November 13, 2020

    Zucchini fritters

  • shaneandemma  on  November 13, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters (Patatokeftedes), there’s not much better than those two things together.

  • Roxy12  on  November 14, 2020

    Taro root skordalia

  • sequoia55  on  November 14, 2020

    Mushroom Pie

  • JessHeilman  on  November 14, 2020

    My kids would love Potato and Cheese Fritters!

  • GillB  on  November 15, 2020

    Imam

  • Leonard5854  on  November 15, 2020

    Jam tart

  • InAHealthyKitchen  on  November 16, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • jscamb22  on  November 19, 2020

    So many sound delicious but I’d love to try the mushroom pie first!

  • almonds  on  November 19, 2020

    Orange pie

  • aligiraffe  on  November 23, 2020

    Tabouleh salad (Salata tabouli)

  • redcurrant  on  November 25, 2020

    Taro root skordalia

  • Mayandbill  on  November 27, 2020

    Split pea dip with caramelised onions

  • chantiecew  on  November 27, 2020

    Stuffed Eggplant.

  • kitchen_chick  on  November 27, 2020

    Mushroom pie

  • Rosemarysullivan  on  November 29, 2020

    I’d try the Fried Zucchini Fritters recipe first!

  • ChicagoJen  on  November 29, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • orchidlady01  on  November 30, 2020

    Vegetable soup [summer] (Hortosoupa 1)

  • kmetcalfe727  on  December 1, 2020

    The Zucchini fritters

  • msmuggins666  on  December 12, 2020

    Jam Tart

  • elsid22  on  December 12, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • PatBarrett  on  December 18, 2020

    I would try the potato and cheese fritters.

  • andyszym  on  December 18, 2020

    Calamari in wine

  • AEA  on  December 19, 2020

    Difficult choice but mushroom pie first I think

  • mrspale  on  December 19, 2020

    The jam tarts, they are always a big hit in our home

  • fionajk42  on  December 19, 2020

    Baked vegetables with eggs (Lahanika me avga)

  • Emwitting  on  December 20, 2020

    Sweet potato salad

  • v.t  on  December 22, 2020

    Omelette with spring onions (Omeletta me freska kremidakia)

  • choppergirl  on  December 24, 2020

    chili and feta dip

  • Kduncan  on  December 28, 2020

    Spinach with rice (Spanakorizo)

  • CatsintheKitchen  on  December 30, 2020

    mushroom stew

  • feliciakw  on  December 30, 2020

    Black-eyed pea salad (Mavromatika fasolia salata) – I live in the South and BEP without seasoning meat is rare – I’d love a new healthy recipe.

  • paisleymonsoon  on  December 31, 2020

    Potato and cheese fritters (Patatokeftedes)

  • Karla123  on  January 2, 2021

    “Vegetable soup [winter] (Hortosoupa 2)”…This would taste so good right now!

  • shellee  on  January 3, 2021

    pickled samphire 🙂

  • JessHeilman  on  January 4, 2021

    Potato and cheese fritters

  • MeerkatSilverleaf  on  January 8, 2021

    Zucchini Fritters

  • BFG  on  January 12, 2021

    The Tomato omelette (Omeletta me tomata) (page 77)!

  • Warchild26  on  January 18, 2021

    Zucchini fritters

  • pamelajosie  on  January 25, 2021

    I’d make wild greens pesto to use the Australian native Warrigal greens in the garden.

  • iab  on  January 26, 2021

    Baked beans (Fasolia sto fourno)

  • Shelley.b  on  January 30, 2021

    Fried zucchini

  • Uiiok  on  February 5, 2021

    Looks Great!

  • Uiiok  on  February 5, 2021

    Pickled mushrooms (Manitaria toursi)

  • YumYum21  on  February 12, 2021

    kale salad!

  • jifar  on  February 17, 2021

    Potato & Cheese fritters

  • sarahteertzah  on  February 25, 2021

    Chili and feta dip!

  • nyserge  on  March 2, 2021

    Stuffed zucchini flowers (Gemista louloudia kolokythakia)

  • katylynnf  on  March 8, 2021

    Potato and cheese fritters!

  • deedee45  on  March 12, 2021

    Sweet Potato Salad!!

  • fairyduff  on  March 14, 2021

    Sweet potato with milk

  • therecoveringchef  on  March 15, 2021

    This takes me back to childhood holidays! My partner loves aubergine so would start there. ευχαριστώ!

  • skvalentine  on  March 19, 2021

    That jam tart looks ahhh-mazing!

  • avonleajules  on  March 19, 2021

    chili & feta dip sounds amazing

  • Indyjane  on  March 24, 2021

    Stuffed eggplant (Imam)!

  • Jwalker5  on  March 24, 2021

    Stuffed zucchini flowers

  • Robolovesfood  on  March 27, 2021

    I would like to try the Collard Greens and potatoes.

  • pclisa40  on  April 2, 2021

    Loukoumades!

  • maria411  on  April 3, 2021

    sweet potato salad recipe

  • kara99  on  April 5, 2021

    Stuffed eggplant would be my first recipe

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