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Traditional Albanian food: Top 20 Albanian

Dishes

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Traditional Albanian
food: Top 20 Albanian
Dishes

Albanisches Essen: Tave Mishi –

Gemischte Fleischplatte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- ANZEIGE -

Everyone has heard of Mediterranean

culture, history and especially

Mediterranean cuisine. The

Mediterranean world is a large mosaic of

many countries, one of which is Albania

or, as they call themselves, Shqiperia.

Albania is located in south-eastern

Europe, on the coasts of the Adriatic

Sea and the Ionian Sea, both of which

are part of the Mediterranean Sea.

Albanian cuisine is representative of the

widely known Mediterranean diet,

considered by many to be the healthiest

diet in the world.

Albanian cuisine is mainly based on

healthy ingredients such as vegetables,

fruits, fish, dairy products and meat.

Olive oil is the most popular cooking fat

used in traditional Albanian dishes. Herbs

are also widely used and add a special

and delicious flavour to the dishes. Garlic

is a staple, as are onions, which are

perhaps the most popular ingredients in

the whole country.

Commonly used meats include beef,

lamb, pork and poultry. They are part of

many traditional Albanian recipes, but

Albanian cuisine also has su!cient

vegetarian dishes.

Historically, the openness of Albanian

culture has always led to a combination of

gastronomy and hospitality. Being

welcoming and friendly is a fundamental

aspect of Albanian society, whether

towards friends or strangers.

Modern dishes have their roots in the

Ottoman Empire, and Turkish

influences are evident. Other modern

culinary influences are Italian and

Greek.

Albanian cuisine is characterised by the

rural areas, the mountain regions and the

coast. It is excellent, fresh and tasty and

there are so many exciting flavours to try.

Be prepared for amazing tastes and

textures as we explore 20 traditional

Albanian dishes and what makes them so

delicious.

#1 – Fërgesë

Albanian traditional food: Fergese

Fërgesë is undoubtedly one of Albania’s

most traditional dishes. The dish consists

mainly of tomato sauce, cottage cheese,

green peppers and garlic. The dish is

sometimes called summer stew because

many Albanians like to eat it after it has

cooled for 2-3 hours. This gives it a thicker

consistency and the ingredients come out

better.

Fërgesë is usually eaten with bread only.

The dish is a typical menu in Albanian

restaurants in the countryside that serve

traditional dishes.

#2 – Byrek

Albanian Food: Byrek

- ANZEIGE -

Byrek is an appetiser, a snack, a staple at

breakfast and is even eaten as a late

evening snack.

This dish is very typical in all Balkan

countries. Albanians usually spell it byrek,

some other Balkan countries call it burek

and in Turkey it is called börek. However it

is spelled, the recipe is largely the same

and refers to layers of wheat-based phyllo

dough filled with vegetables, meat or

cheese, and probably dates back to the

Ottoman Empire.

The most common Albanian byrek is filled

with cheese or tomatoes, sometimes

spinach and meat. It is cooked in a large

pan in the oven and then cut into

squares, triangles or rectangles for

serving.

There are also individual byrek, usually in

the shape of a rolled sausage. Because

byrek is so popular in Albania, you can

find it in every bakery in the country and

in most restaurants.

#3 – Pispili

Albanian food: Pispili

Pispili is another traditional Albanian dish.

It is made with cornbread and leeks or

spinach. The thickness of the cornbread

varies from place to place. Sometimes it is

thin, like a shortbread, sometimes it is

thicker, with more consistency, like a

sponge cake.

Pispili usually consists of a bread base

topped with vegetables and baked, but

sometimes the vegetables are layered

between the cornbread or the two are

mixed together. Feta cheese can be

sprinkled on top.

As cornbread can be quite filling and dry,

pispili tastes best with yoghurt, which is

usually served with it, or with fërgesë,

which moistens the dish.

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#4 – Tarator

Albanian Food: Tarator

This appetiser is a great dish that

Albanians usually eat before a main meat

dish. It is usually served in the summer as

it is chilled before serving. The dish is

made of yoghurt, cold water, grated

cucumber and salt.

It has the consistency of a soup, which is

why this dish is usually served in a bowl,

and tastes very similar to the Albanian

traditional drink dhallë, a traditional drink

similar to yoghurt but with a thin

consistency and salt added.

The older generation loves this starter,

while the younger ones seem to prefer

dhallë because it is easier to eat.

#5 – Flija

Albanian Traditional Food Flia

This dish is common in the regions of

northern Albania. It is a simple recipe

often prepared at home or served in

traditional local restaurants.

Flija is a simple crepe-like dish that is

crispy on top and softer on the bottom.

The addition of butter gives Flija its

delicious flavour. The dish is usually

served with fresh dairy products such as

cheese or yoghurt.

#6 – Petulla

- ANZEIGE -

Albanian Food: Petulla – Gebackener Teig

Fried dough, also called petulla, is a

popular dish throughout the Balkans. In

Albania, fried dough is traditionally served

in many di"erent ways and is usually

eaten as a snack or with dinner. It is more

like a doughnut, but has a heavier

consistency and is crispy on the outside

and soft on the inside.

There are snack stands all over the

country that serve petulla with di"erent

toppings. Toppings include chocolate,

strawberry jam, grated cheese or ketchup.

Fried dough is quick and easy to prepare

and is usually eaten with feta cheese or

honey. Another less popular but delicious

topping, especially in the northern region,

is yoghurt and garlic.

#7 – Speca te mbushura

Albanian Food: Speca te mbushura

- ANZEIGE -

Speca të mbushura or stu"ed peppers is

a very popular local dish. It is served in all

regions of Albania.

The exact recipe depends on how it was

passed down, but the dish consists of

peppers stu"ed with rice. Chopped lamb

or tomatoes can also be added. The

stu"ed peppers are baked and served

hot.

This dish is served with yoghurt, feta

cheese or dhallë. It is also common to add

chilli peppers or black pepper, as the

spicy kick complements the mild flavour

of the dish.

#8 – Tavë Kosi

Albanian Food: Tave Kosi

In Albania, lamb baked in yoghurt is a

popular traditional dish, often served at

lunchtime. Throughout the Balkans, it is

known as Elbasan tava- after the Albanian

town from which it originates.

Tave kosi is usually prepared with lamb,

but can also be made with chicken. The

yoghurt is mixed with rice and eggs and

baked together with the meat.

The dish has a unique taste: the baked

yoghurt has a soft texture and tastes

slightly sour, while the meat balances this

out well and gives the dish its juicy meaty

flavour.

#9 – Perime në Zgarë

Albanian Food: Perime në Zgarë