Fasolada is without a doubt Greece’s national food, famous and loved all the way to Australia, thanks to the first migrants that brought the hearty bean soup recipe with them decades ago.

Even though Hellenic cuisine is vast and intricate, fasolada, will always have a place on the Greek table and in people’s hearts.

True to tradition, Florina’s Cultural Centre ‘Aristotelis’ is once again organising the ‘Giorti tis Fasoladas’ with the support of Whittlesea Council.

The much loved feast will take place this Sunday, 11 March 2019 at the Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre, on 35 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.

Fasolada will be served from 11am to 7pm, filling us up with warmth and Greek deliciousness!

Bonus: one of our favourite and easy to make fasolada recipes

Ingredients
-500g dry white beans (18 ounces)
-3 or 4 carrots, finely chopped
-1 large red onion, finely chopped
-3 stalks of celery, finely chopped
-130ml extra virgin olive oil (1/2 cup)
-2 tbsps tomato puree
-a pinch of paprika (hot or sweet, according to preference)
-salt and freshly ground pepper

Method
-To prepare the fasolada (Greek bean soup), place the beans in a saucepan with plenty of cold water to cover them. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down to medium and parboil for 30-35 minutes, until slightly tender. Drain in colander and set aside.
-Finely chop the onion, celery and carrots. Add 3 to 4 tbsps of olive oil in a deep pan, add the chopped vegetables and blend. Sauté for about 2 minutes and add the tomato paste and continue sautéing for a minute.
-Add the parboiled beans in the pan and pour in enough boiling water to cover the beans and little bit more and blend lightly. Place the lid on and simmer the fasolada for about 35 minutes, until the beans are tender.
-Towards the end of cooking time, pour in the remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Boil for a few more minutes, until the soup becomes thick and creamy.
Serve this traditional Greek bean soup (fasolada) while still steaming hot with a few Kalamata olives and of course some village bread. Enjoy!