Maria’s cooking lessons at the old watermill

“The Organic Table”: An experience to remember

Imagine that you are walking along an ancient, marbled path, surrounded by sycamore trees and oaks. The sunrays that pass through the waving tree leaves create an impressive visual game of shadows and light. On your right, there is a narrow river flowing towards the sea, creating small waterfalls on its way. On your left, there is a fence made of stone, covered with ivy and mosses. All you hear is the tweeting birds and the rippling water.

Where are you? You are in the village of Ano Potamia in Naxos island, on your way to the old water mill where Maria Pollikreti will teach you how to cook traditional, local and organic recipes.

Maria is a young woman who loves to cook. She inherited her passion for cooking from her grandmother, whose house was always open for friends and family to come for dinner. She told me how inspiring it was for her, to grow up in a big family where fresh organic fruits and vegetables from their garden, as well as homemade products like cheese, wine and honey, are part of their everyday life.

Maria’s cooking class was a purifying experience for me. I don’ t know whether it was the constant presence of the running water, the perfectly restored watermill,  Maria’s warm personality or her amazing cooking, but I left the village feeling so serene and creative…

I would like to thank Maria for sharing this culinary fairy tale of hers, which gave me the opportunity to profoundly appreciate the diversity and beauty of her island.

Kolokithopastitsa | The recipe (Pumpkin pie)

An easy, traditional and delicious recipe that giagia Maria (Maria’s grandmother) used to cook!

• 1 ½ kilo of grated pumpkin
• 1 small onion
• 1 tablespoon of dill
• 1 cup of raisins
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 4-5 tablespoons of flour
• 4 tablespoons of olive-oil