Keto avocado salad doesn’t sound very Mediterranean, does it? However, did you know that avocados grow on our biggest island? Am I talking about the mysterious island of Crete! Now, I think I’ve pointed it out so many times, the Cretan cuisine is unique and extremely rich in healthy ingredients. Needless to add, traditional cuisine is loaded with wheat flour and fruits that are not very Keto friendly. However, look at these beauties! In Greece, avocados from Crete cost 5 times more than those imported from faraway tropical countries.
Before I proceed, let me ask you, did you try my Keto Cretan Dacos recipe yet?
The taste of ancient Crete
Interestingly, the avocados from Crete taste much better than any avocado I have ever tried. For this reason, Keto avocado salad with Cretan avocados was my next project. Using the best Mediterranean ingredients I wanted to make a small experiment. Civilisation in the island of Crete dates back to 7 thousand years ago. Can you imagine the versatility of cultural mix that occurred in this period of time!
Wikipedia on Cretan civilisation
The History of Crete goes back to the 7th millennium BC, preceding the ancient Minoan civilization by more than four millennia.
The Minoan civilization was the first civilization in Europe and the first, in Europe, to build a palace.
After the Minoan civilization was devastated by the Thera eruption, Crete developed an Ancient Greece-influenced organization of city states, then successively became part of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Venetian Republic, the Ottoman Empire, autonomous state, and the modern state of Greece.
Elements, methods and philosophy of Cretan cuisine
When it comes to Cretan cooking, you could say it highlights the freshness, unique aromas and subdivision. Food production in Crete is so polyvalent that even avocados and bananas grow there. Of course, Keto avocado connection is well known to Ketonians. The climate is mild and almost tropical. But still, this is the heart of the Mediterranean zone.
Wild herbs and unforgettable greens
If you happen to drive around Crete, pull over off the side, and pick some wild sage, marjoram, oregano, thyme… The aromas will fill your car with the ancient spirits and the best Mediterranean feelings. In Crete, they have some 40 kinds of wild greens in the mountains. All of them edible and delicious.
The Cretan countryside exhales the scent of native herbs and wildflowers. Oregano is possibly the most popular herb here. Followed by thyme, peppermint, sage, parsley, marjoram, basil (different than Italian basil), and above all fennel. On Crete, you’ll find them applied on salads, in main courses and also in wonderful, blends of herbal teas. Desserts as well!
Cretan Vegetables
From pomegranates to tomatoes and peppers, the Cretan produce is all about the fresh, increased, preserved flavour. When it comes to dairy, you are in heaven. Crete has one of the best goat and sheep milk products that will take you straight to another universe. In fact, Crete is not an island, it’s another planet in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. Maybe this is why they talk with a specific accent there – they are Aliens! Supreme aliens – I would say!
Cretan cheese
There’s absolutely no deficit of cheese on the island. Amongst the foremost variations, you’ll find Anthotiro, a sheep and goat cheese that’s smooth and manageable when it’s fresh. On the contrary, it gets salty and rustic when aged. Furthermore, you’ll find Kefalotiri, a firm sheep or goat cheese that tastes better than any Parmesan cheese does. (Sorry Italians, but it does) , On top of all, Mizithra katsikisia, the typical fresh goat cheese of Crete that I’ll utilise for this recipe.
Graviera, the standard hard cheese of Crete is habitually made with sheep’s milk. This would be the best choice for saganaki cheese which you can prepare by following this recipe!
If you would like to try some of the best Cretan cheeses, you can order it online from this reputed producer!
The typical Cretan view
Cretan capital
Urban Crete panorama
Therefore, let’s see how to make Keto avocado salad with Cretan spices and aromas!
Keto Avocado salad with Cretan spirit
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- 100 g (1/2 cup) creme cheese (preferably goat or sheep cream cheese)
- 1 medium egg grass-fed, hard boiled
- 50 g (1/4 cup) chopped pancetta (you can use smoked bacon)
- 50 g (1/4 cup) Greek goat yoghurt (preferably sheep or goat milk yoghurt)
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried fennel leaves (alternatively, 1 tbsp Ouzo)
Instructions
- Cut the Pancetta into very small cubes. Do the same with the hard-boiled egg. Cut the avocado in half and take the fruit pulp out of the shell so that the skin stays intact. This will serve as your serving ball. Cut the avocado into small cubes.
- Mix the cream cheese with yoghurt and olive oil. Add all the spices. now gently add pancetta, egg, avocado and mix carefully with.
- Fill the avocado peel shells with your salad and decorate it with olives, mild chilly peppers or pancetta cubes. Sprinkle with any Mediterranean spices. You can serve some aged goat cheese aside.
Disclaimer: The nutritional label is applied only if you use goat cream cheese and full-fat goat yoghurt.
Cow’s milk products are much higher in carbohydrate content, so I don’t recommend using them. 
