12 Great Greek Recipes for the Thanksgiving Table

Tzatziki goes with almost everything and makes a wonderful starter (serve with a selection of fresh veggies) as the finishing touches are being put on the table. The creamy combination of yogurt, cucumber, and garlic makes tzatziki a refreshing appetizer that can be eaten alone, with bread, or as an accompaniment to vegetables, meat dishes, and pita wraps. It is one of the dips for which Greece is most well-known.

(Note: If you've got a big crowd coming, consider making the Tzatziki with Carrots. The carrots add almost no taste, but create a larger dish that serves more.)

Stuffed turkey (or capon) is always appropriate for festive occasions, and this Greek recipe pulls together the classic elements of rice, pine nuts, chestnuts, and lamb for the stuffing.

If stuffing a bird isn't your thing, this fabulous dish that combines turkey and nuts is a wonderful alternative. A little brandy, a touch of orange juice, and this recipe for 4 is perfect for a small family dinner or increase it and serve a large group.

Roasted potatoes with garlic, lemon, and oregano, are a favorite side dish in Greek homes, and this recipe adds a bit of a surprise with a touch of orange juice.

Add another green vegetable to the table in a unique way with a Greek spinach and cheese pie! Pull out all the stops with this version that includes the tastes of mint, dill, parsley, and leeks for a fabulous result.

It takes almost no time to get slices of Greek feta cheese on the table, and the salty tart taste goes wonderfully well with just about anything.

Consider swapping out another version of the Thanksgiving green bean casserole with this Theban version of a classic Greek recipe. It is deceptively simple to fix, combining fresh green beans with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and parsley, and delivers a sophisticated taste.

The colors of this healthy dish are perfect for a Thanksgiving table, and the taste is wonderful. Use brown-green colored lentils for best results, and choose your favorite herb for seasoning. I enjoy the strong flavor of rosemary, but bay leaf and oregano are popular options.

There are so many wonderful Greek recipes with apples, and this favorite is just one selection. It calls for red apples, cored and stuffed with an aromatic and delicious mixture of walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon. Cloves decorate the apples and they are baked in a light syrup.

Melomakarona (also called "Phoenikia") are one of the most famous cookies in Greece. They are a favorite throughout the year, a Christmas tradition, and for Americans like me who celebrate Thanksgiving far from home, they are a delicious addition to the holiday dessert table. The recipe calls for cinnamon and cloves, and while they're baking, the house just fills with wonderful smells.

This is a sweet pumpkin (or squash) pie in the Greek tradition - made with phyllo dough, olive oil, honey, sugar, and cinnamon - with a syrupy topping.

The ultimate Greek celebration cookie, Kourabiethes are shortbread-type cookies packed with chunks of almonds and covered with a very liberal coating of confectioner's sugar. Make plenty and send your guests home with a few!