You’re probably used to Valentine’s Day involving red hearts, balloons and ribbons, bouquets of roses, aphrodisiac appetizers, and light, exquisite dishes. Forget all that; in Greece, this holiday is understood a little differently.
To celebrate this day, a grill house on the island of Crete prepares a giant pita gyro shaped like a bouquet. It’s filled with spiced grilled meat, French fries, sliced tomatoes, chopped onions, fresh parsley, and, of course, tzatziki sauce.
The bouquet is wrapped in white paper, and a luxurious red ribbon ties this incredible creation together. The total weight is 8.5 kg! That’s enough to send a romantic couple to the nearest kiosk for a barrel of cola or to feed a crowd gathered for a small Valentine’s get together (if you’re familiar with the history of this holiday)…
The grill house near Heraklion, Crete, seems to understand the truth that “love comes and goes, but you always have to eat,” and for the past few years, they’ve been preparing this original creation on February 14th.
In a social media post, the grill house notes that the pita gyro bouquets are an idea born a few years ago that continues to be popular.
“February 14th is Valentine’s Day, and we want to share with you a story that fills us with pride. A few years ago, we were inspired by the pita bouquet – a unique combination of flavors and aesthetics that gave new life to a common symbol of Greek gastronomy. And now we are happy to see that this idea has become beloved and famous, especially on Valentine’s Day.
This day is an opportunity to express our gratitude to everyone who supports us and gives us the incentive to continue our work. The round pita bouquet is a way to thank you, to share love and flavor with you.”