Aginares Salat

Aginares salata is a traditional salad originating from Crete. Although there are variations, the salad is usually made with a combination of young and tender artichokes, lemon, lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. The artichokes are trimmed and boiled in a mixture of water and lemon juice. The artichokes are quartered and cut in half, rubbed with lemon, and placed on a platter. A dressing consisting of lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, and garlic is then poured over the artichokes, and the salad is sprinkled with chopped dill, seasoned with salt and pepper, tossed, and served immediately. Aginares salata can be found only in the early spring, on the first days of Lent, when it's typically served with taramosalata and rengosalata as an appetizer.