What a fantastic month September was. Hard to believe it’s almost over and we’re nearing the time where I start to panic to ensure all my holiday shopping has been done. But it was a bumper month for my Foodie Penpal activity. If you are interested in joining this group (and it’s really big fun), get in touch with Carol Anne – she’ll sort you out!
My foodie package came from Greece this month. Lovely Evangelia sent me a huge package of goodies. And it arrived here about a week after the spreadsheet was sent out, so I think she must have gone out right away and selected everything so it would get here in time. So thoughtful . . . .
The whole package
I got the most delicious crackers – they are rich and buttery, and no matter if I pile lots of good things on them, or just eat them plain, they are fantastic. I especially like the packaging where the writing is all in Greek (of course) with the occasional English word stuck in there.
Basil and Tomato Crackers
Although I didn’t mention it to Evangelia, one of my favourite flavours is cinnamon, so you can imagine my delighted surprise when I found she had included this round tub of little cinnamon candies. They are small, but they pack a fabulous punch.
Cinnamon pastilles
I then got to the nougat, which is a household favourite here. This one, in particular, is really tasty, and I’ve had to hide it so there would be some left for me.
Nougat
And she sent chocolate! But not just any chocolate – the best bitter sweet chocolate ever. It was so good, so rich, and now so gone! But it was very good.
Bitter Sweet Chocolate
This sesame bar with honey has always been a favourite of mine. It makes me think I’m eating something healthy! And that’s always a very good thing.
Sesame Honey bar
This is a bag of what I can only describe as pretzel-like biscuits covered in cinnamon and sugar. I’ve never tasted anything like them, but I’m wondering now if I can figure out how to make them. They were SOOOOO good.
Cinnamon Sugar ‘pretzel’
Then, being American, gum is always welcome! I like that I have real Greek gum. I like that I can offer it around and people are impressed that I import my gum! Makes me feel very important! Ha! It’s very nice gum!
Chewing gum
But finally – and probably my favourite part – the Greek Trachanas. I think I like this the best because Evangelia sent a couple of recipes as well. I made up one batch already, and it was delicious, and I can’t wait to experiment with the rest.
Trachanas
Thank you so much, Evangelia, for your thoughtful gifts this month. You do the Foodie Penpal club, and your country, proud!
Lake Michigan-Upon-Thames 
European parcels are absoloutely my favourite! So what is Trachanas & what did you make with it?
Hi Emma. Thanks so much for your comment! I had such a good package this month – loved every single item. My thoughts on trachanas is that it’s a little tiny pasta substance, but so small it looks like grain. I cooked it under a leg of lamb that I did this week. Really slow cooked it, and it soaked up all the lamb and veg juices. It was delicious. If you google it, it will give you all kinds of recipe ideas – very similar to what Evangelia sent me. Lots of good soup ideas. I think soup is next on my list for it! Gale x
What a fun penpal package. Sometimes I have more fun reading the actual packaging than I do eating the food. It’s so pretty you do want to open it and use it.
Hi! Thank you for your comment. Fortunately, Evangelia sent me details on everything that was in the package, so I didn’t have to guess so much with this one. I have received other packages with no instructions or guidelines, so it was a bit like taking all the labels off your tins in the cupboard. You have to open it to see what it really is! Both are fun, but I like the explanation more, I think!