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Greek food served at Global Table

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By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer 6:49 PM Monday, July 6, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — When experts talk about healthy eating they might as well be talking Greek. Or at least, about Greek food.

With its emphasis on olive oil, dark, leafy greens and its light use of meats, Greek food is not only healthy, but “it’s very, very, good” said John Linardo, of Linardo’s Villa restaurant on East Main Street.

Linardo and his son, John Jr., will present Greek food and discuss Greek culture during the July installment of the Global Table.

The free event will be held 6:30 p.m. July 9 at Wittenberg University’s Shouvlin Center.

The Linardos will serve spinach-cheese triangle at the event and share a favorite family recipe, John Linardo senior said.

As a restaurateur, the Linardo said he’s glad Americans do not follow the Greek’s meal schedule.

“In the old country, they eat a light lunch then they eat a big supper that goes very late in the evening, until 11 p.m. or midnight,” he said.

He admits he wouldn’t want to work those hours.

But he does love making traditional foods, such as moussaka and dolmathakia — the first with incorporates eggplant, the second grape leaves — both staples of a vegetable-laden Greek meal.

“And beans are very important,” he said.

Cucumbers and tomatoes are especially rich in Greece, he said. “I think it has something to do with the soil.”

You can test Linardo’s theory on the tastiness of Greek food during the event which is free to the public. For more information, call 324-7696.

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