Meze

Also known as mezedes (the plural form of meze), it is a Greek name for a variety of small bite size appetizer snacks and sauces made from the traditional ingredients of the region. Mezedes can be as simple as sliced cheeses, meats, vegetables, salads, and olives, or more elaborate such as fried seafood, breads and crackers with prepared sauces like eggplant meze, or grape leaves with stuffed ingredients (dolmas). The mezedes are served on plates or trays and typically consumed as a late evening meal. Similar terms used in other countries would be tapas in Spain, zakuski in Russia or appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, and snacks in the U.S.