Dolmades wrapped, keftethes rolled and ready to go

DARWIN’S Greek community got their hands messy in more than 220kg of meat for GleNTi. The stage is set for music, dancing and a whole lot of food

Helen Halkitis prepares keftethes (meatballs) ahead of GleNTi. Picture: John Karavokyros

THE big, fat Greek GleNTi is back for another year and kicking it up a notch with more food, louder music and finer dancing.

GleNTi chair Lilliane Gomatos, who co-founded the festival in 1988, was excited for this year’s changes.

“I’m looking forward to all these new menus coming up,” she said.

“The souvla and the Greek School has introduced some new cuisines. I’m looking forward to see what they’ve done and how they’ve achieved it.”

GLENTI: Souvla and honeypuffs in the air

On Thursday and Friday about 220kg of mince meat was wrapped, rolled and fried in preparation for the weekend festival.

The Hellenic Macedonian Association of the NT created a specialised barbecue for GleNTi, which will give people the opportunity to watch everyone’s favourite Greek food, yiros, being made.

GALLERY: GleNTi fun in Darwin

Each year GleNTi raises money for a local children’s charity and this festival is collecting funds for Give Me Five for Kids.

Mrs Gomatos was proud to watch the festival flourish.

“I think GleNTi this year will be a big, happy one,” she said.

“Every year I cry, I’m so proud. I have a cry because I get so overwhelmed and the support is amazing.”

GleNTi begins at 10am on Saturday and Sunday.

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