Clean Monday marks the end of Carnival celebrations and the beginning of the 40-day fasting period before Easter in Greece. It is a public holiday where people have outdoor excursions and eat fasting foods like elephant bean salad, which is made from beans rich in minerals that have been grown in parts of Greece since the 17th century.

1. Clean Monday marks the end of Carnivals and the beginning of fasting.
Fasting lasts 40 days until Easter Day. Clean Monday is a public holiday
in Greece where it is celebrated with outdoor excursions and the
consumption of fasting food. A favorite recipe for the Lenten season is
elephant beans. Elephant beans are rich in minerals and trace elements
and have very low calories. They have been grown in Kastoria and
Florina since the end of 17th century.
Ingredients:
 250 gr. elephant beans
 1 small sliced onion
 2 spring onions chopped
 2 tablespoons parsley
chopped
 3 tablespoons pickled
cucumbers chopped
 1 small green pepper chopped
 5-6 black olives for the
decoration
 olive oil
 salt
 pepper
 balsamic vinegar
Method:
Wash the beans and soak
them overnight in cold
water. Drain and put them in
a casserole with water. Boil
them for 30 minutes. Then,
drain and allow them cool.
Stir the beans wth all the
ingredients. Your salad is
ready!!!
Digka Dimitra