mezze
Small plates spread
Mezze is a spread of small dishes served as appetizers or a shared meal in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
A mezze spread might include hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, olives, and flatbread: We ordered the mezze platter to share.
The style emphasizes variety and communal eating over a single main course.
Mashed chickpea spread
- tabboulehHerb-heavy Middle Eastern salad
- falafelFried spiced legume ball
- baba ghanoushSmoky eggplant spread with tahini
- dolmaStuffed leaf parcels
tzatziki · labneh · kibbeh · halloumi · saganaki · spanakopita · grape leaves · pita
Appetizing, not sweet
- tangySharp and lively-tasting
- garlickyStrongly flavored with bulb
- herbedFlavored with aromatic plants
- smokyFilled with combustion haze
lemony · spiced · olive oil · tahini · sumac · za'atar · mint · parsley
Generous treatment of guests
- sharingDividing among others
- convivialityWarm, sociable good cheer
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- companionshipState of having company
feast · togetherness · celebration · entertaining · leisurely · conversation · generosity · welcome
Large flat serving dish
- assortmentMixed collection of things
- spreadTo distribute widely
- selectionChosen item or items
- arrayOrdered collection or display
variety · sampler · small plates · dips · accompaniments · arrangement · colorful · garnish
hummus
Mashed chickpea spread
- tabboulehHerb-heavy Middle Eastern salad
- falafelFried spiced legume ball
- baba ghanoushSmoky eggplant spread with tahini
dolma · tzatziki · labneh · kibbeh · halloumi · saganaki · spanakopita · grape leaves · pita · olives
savory
Appetizing, not sweet
smoky · lemony · spiced · olive oil · tahini · sumac · za'atar · mint · parsley · cumin
hospitality
Generous treatment of guests
- sharingDividing among others
- convivialityWarm, sociable good cheer
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
companionship · feast · togetherness · celebration · entertaining · leisurely · conversation · generosity · welcome · communal
platter
Large flat serving dish
- assortmentMixed collection of things
- spreadTo distribute widely
- selectionChosen item or items
array · variety · sampler · small plates · dips · accompaniments · arrangement · colorful · garnish · portion
- CyprusNicosia, halloumi, Aphrodite, Northern Cyprus, buffer zone
- cuisinelocal cuisine, regional cuisine, indigenous cuisine, ethnic food, traditional recipes
- gastronomygastronomy, gourmet food, fine dining, tasting menu, degustation
- GreeceAcropolis, Parthenon, Athens, Greek, Hellenic
- Greek cultureGreece, Greek mythology, Greek history, Greek cuisine, Greek gods
- MediterraneanMediterranean Sea, olive grove, olive tree, olive, Aegean Sea
mezzemain course
Primary dish served
entrée · main dish · blue plate special · full portion · prix fixe
mezzeformal service
Structured ceremonial worship
plated dinner · prix fixe · quick meal · fast food · grab-and-go
- mezze platterShared appetizer assortment
- mezzo forteModerately loud dynamic marking
- mezzanine seatsIntermediate-level theater seating
mezzanine, mezzo, mezuzah, mezzes, mezzo-soprano, mezzos, mezz