At the present day Messenia forms a department with its capital at Kalamata, and a population numbering (according to the census of 1907), 127,991.
In 1685 Kalamata was captured by the Venetians; in 1770, and again in 1821, it was the revolutionary headquarters in the Morea.
Then mix the pasta with hunks of feta, Kalamata olives, tomato slices, and fresh basil for a Greek salad or fresh corn kernels, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, pieces of red onion, and chilled black beans for a Southwestern meal.