Moussaka

Moussaka is one of the best known Greek dishes – a baked casserole consisting of ground lamb meat and layers of sliced eggplant, covered with a thick layer of bechamel sauce that gets golden and crusty as it bakes. The lamb is sometimes replaced with beef, while the eggplants might be replaced with zucchini or potatoes.

It is likely that moussaka has Middle-Eastern origins, and it was introduced when the Arabs brought the eggplant to Greece. Its Greek name mousakás is derived from the Turkish musakka, which came from the Arabic word musaqqa'ah, meaning chilled.

Moussaka is not an everyday dish–it is baked as a special treat for guests and family on festive days. An exotic version of lasagna, without the pasta, moussaka is exceptionally healthy due to the abundance of vegetables used in the dish. It is commonly cut into squares and served warm, not hot, as the dish needs some resting time in order to firm up.