Ithacan Tserepa

The Ithacan tserepa is one of the most distinctive dishes of the island’s local cuisine and is closely connected with everyday life and hospitality on Ithaca. The recipe is based on simple ingredients: chicken, potatoes, garlic and herbs. The result reflects the philosophy of Ionian cooking, where deliciousness comes from the quality of the ingredients and the slow roasting process. The unique aroma rising from the freshly baked dish will transport you to the island’s culinary tradition.

It is a traditional oven-baked dish, once cooked in the so-called “tserepa”, a lidded clay or metal vessel that functioned as a portable oven. Today, the word also refers to the corresponding cooking technique. The tserepa is placed over the fire, covered with glowing embers and left to slow-cook for hours.