Organizers and volunteers from two local churches are once again getting ready to serve up gyros, moussaka, souvlaki and other Greek specialties.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Bethlehem
First, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, at 1607 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem, will host its biannual Greek Food Festival Thursday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 20.
The event features several handmade Greek specialties for sale, including chicken or pork souvlaki, pastitsio (Greek-style pasta dish with ground meat and bechamel sauce, served with Greek-style string beans), moussaka (baked dish consisting of layers of sauteed slices of eggplant, ground beef flavored with tomatoes, onions and cinnamon, covered with a custard sauce and grated cheese, served with Greek-style string beans) and Athenian chicken (Baked boneless and skinless chicken breast, filled with spinach and feta, served with rice pilaf).
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral is located at 1607 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
There are also sides such as green beans, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), tiropita (baked filo puff swirl filled with a Greek cheese and herb blend) and Greek fries (with salt and oregano).
For those with a sweet tooth, parishioners and volunteers also will be making and selling bougatsa (flaky layers of golden phyllo filled with rich, creamy semolina custard and dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar), baklava (crisp layers of buttery phyllo, walnuts and warm spices, baked and finished with a drizzle of sweet Greek honey syrup), kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry rolled with spiced walnuts, baked to a golden crisp, and finished with a drizzle of sweet honey syrup) and other desserts.
Online orders, accepted during festival hours, can be placed at stnicholas.org/order.
Guests also can place orders on-site. Tent seating will be available.
The free festival, a tradition for more than 45 years, also showcases Greek music and dance troupe performances.
Hours are 4-8:30 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Info: 610-867-1327.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilson
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, at 319 S. 20th St. in Wilson, will host its biannual Greek Food Fest Friday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 27.
The free festival, which has been a tradition for over 50 years, features several homemade Greek specialties for sale along with Greek music and dance performances.
Greek favorites, made from scratch in the church’s kitchen, include platters such as roast chicken (oven-baked half chicken, served with string beans and rice pilaf), pork or chicken souvlaki (skewers of marinated pork or chicken, served on a bed of rice), lamb giouvetsi (Greek-style braised lamb shank with orzo string beans), moussaka (layered sliced eggplant, potatoes, ground beef, onions, tomatoes, seasonings and topped with bechamel sauce) and pastitsio (layered macaroni, ground beef and cheese, topped with bechamel sauce and baked to golden brown). All platters include a small Greek salad and roll.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, at 319 S. 20th St. in Wilson, hosts a biannual Greek Food Fest, which features traditional Greek dance performances.
Kelly Karaminas
Other menu highlights include gyros, Greek salad, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), souvlaki sandwiches and spinach pies.
For those with a sweet tooth, the festival also serves up a variety of homemade desserts, including ekmek (layers of kataifi dough baked until crispy and golden, bathed in lemon scented syrup and topped with creamy thick custard and whipped cream), galaktoboureko (creamy custard in golden crispy phyllo and drizzled in a honey syrup), kourabiedes (sweet butter and almond cookies, topped with powdered sugar), karidopita (rich walnut spice cake with a delicate honey syrup), rizogalo (Greek rice pudding) and baklava (layers of phyllo and walnuts, baked and topped with honey syrup).
Items can be ordered on site or in advance online at http://easton-greek-festival.square.site/s/order. Outdoor dining under a tent is available, and takeout is also an option.
The rain-or-shine festival will be held 5-9 p.m. Sept. 25, noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 26 and noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 27.
Traditional Greek dance performances by the church’s youth will start at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 and 26 and 1 p.m. Sept. 27. Info: 610-253-8147.
Dining and Cooking