Cigarettes

The cigarettes is a classic dish of Of Kefalonia, which we find in some taverns of the island in winter and spring, when the wild grasses are plentiful.

First we use the herbs that are available and mainly leeks, poppies, cauliflowers, zucchini, lapatas, flours, spinach, celery. Add a bunch of celery, a bunch of parsley, marjoram, fennel, 3-4 spring onions, 2 dried onions, half a head of garlic, two tomatoes, a little glazed rice, a cup of oil, salt and pepper. . After washing well and cutting all the greens, boil them in water for 5-6 minutes. Strain them and then fry the onions and garlic in oil. Add the greens, the tomato and the herbs. Boil them for 5 minutes and add the rice and as much water as needed, in order to boil.

There are many variations of cigarettes and they depend on the combinations of herbs and the way they are prepared. Many people believe that greens should be "carried", which means that they should not be scalded. Instead, put them in the pot on a low heat, covered. This way they will lose their water and therefore half of their volume and then we add the ingredients and the tomato paste. However, the participation of the onion, the garlic, the celery and the parsley, the paste and the discreet presence of the marjoram must be ensured!