Leonidio ‘Melitzazz’ Fest Combines Food and Fun

The annual Melitzazz Festival in the traditional village of Leonidio, in the Peloponnese, is once again preparing its famed eggplant delicacies to be served alongside a series music and arts events taking place throughout the town on July 1-5.

Organized by the Municipality of Southern Kynouria and the Parnonas Development Company, festival events include the screening of the popular film A Touch of Spice, rembetiko, latin, jazz, Motown, rock, traditional music and fusion concerts, dance performances, DJ sets, voice seminars, photo exhibits and a vintage bike show.

In the meantime, award-winning chefs will prepare imaginative dishes using the traditional Tsakonian eggplant (melitzana). The Tsakonian eggplant is a product of designated origin (PDO) and will feature in dishes and sweets presented during the event. Mediterranean cuisines fuse to highlight the texture and unique taste of the unique-to-the-region vegetable and visitors will have a chance to sample the famed eggplant in a wide variety of dishes. In the meantime, eggplant-based products made by local cooperatives will be on sale.

Besides promoting the Tsakonian eggplant and the overall region, the Mellitzazz Festival aims to bring together cultures through their gastronomic and music traditions.