You know you’re in Aegina when everywhere you walk, you step on pistachio shells!
![Aegina Fistiki (pistachio) Festival](http://myeasygourmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMG_9511.jpg)
Aegina has a long tradition (19th century) of cultivating and producing the world known “fistikia Aiginis”, a variety world-known for it’s rich distinct flavour.
Every 2nd weekend of September the local producers organize the Fistiki Fest, a 4-day festival that is all about pistachio! There are so many things going on as the whole island gets involved. Cultural events, music concerts and of course the festival’s high-light, the trade fair at the island’s port, hosting about 40 booths where you can find local handcrafts, books and of course pistachio in every kind of form: raw, baked, jams, spreads, desserts and so many more!
We were over with friends for the weekend and yes, we tried everything!
![Aegina Fistiki (pistachio) Festival](http://myeasygourmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMG_9525.jpg)
We fell in love with this creamy pistachio spread from Aiakeio Catering, a traditional pastry shop known for it’s top quality desserts. This creme is their new dairy pistachio product, sweet, with a ritch texture and a strong pistachio aftertaste. Whoever’s tried it, including myself, describe the taste as something like white nutella, but even better! Can you even imagine that?
![Aegina Fistiki (pistachio) Festival](http://myeasygourmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMG_9543.jpg)
We walked up from the port to the Chora’s alleys and found ourselves outside a small, cute store, “To mikro megalo” (translates as “The little big”) that sells, of course, everything pistachio, plus other local organic products: herbs, honey, traditional desserts. My friends, who come from the island-so I blindly trust them, recommended this store for me to satisfy my shopping frenzy! So, new pistachio-flavoured recipes are coming up soon!
![Aegina Fistiki (pistachio) Festival](http://myeasygourmet.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IMG_9519.jpg)
Aegina’s Fistiki Festival: http://www.aeginafistikifest.gr/?lang=en
Aiakeio: http://www.aiakeion.gr
To Mikro Megalo: http://www.egaio.gr/praktikes_det2.php?ucid=2&aid=370 (only in Greek)
Aegina Fistiki (pistachio) Fest