Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Albania

Yogurt-baked lamb, phyllo pies and Mediterranean vegetables, with Ottoman sweets and fiery raki. That is the short version of what Albania cooks. Look for Tavë kosi (lamb and rice baked under tangy yogurt custard, national dish), Fërgesë (peppers, tomato and curd cheese baked until bubbling) and Byrek (flaky phyllo pie with spinach, cheese or meat). Lamb baked under a yoghurt and egg custard, associated with Elbasan, where it is known as tavë Elbasani. This atlas has 34 Albania dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

34 dishes.

BaklavaBaklavawalnut phyllo in syrup, New Year's favoriteBallokumeBallokumegiant Elbasan cornmeal-butter cookies for Summer DayBozaBozaThick fermented millet drink, faintly sour, sold from dedicated shops.ByrekByrekflaky phyllo pie with spinach, cheese or meatÇaj maliÇaj maliInfusion of dried mountain ironwort stalks, drunk hot with honey.DhallëDhallësalty churned yoghurt drinkFërgesëFërgesëpeppers, tomato and curd cheese baked until bubblingFlijaFlijalayered pancake baked under an ember-covered lid, northern highlandsGjizëGjizëfresh whey curd eaten with bread and honey or baked into piesJani me fasuleJani me fasuleolive-oil white bean stew, everyday comfortKaçkavallKaçkavallfirm yellow sheep or cow cheese, sliced, grilled or gratedKadaifKadaifPastry threads with walnut, baked and soaked in lemon syrup.KallmetKallmetnative red grape of the Lezhë hills giving soft, dark winesKonjak SkenderbeuKonjak SkenderbeuAmber Albanian grape brandy aged in oak, drunk after dinner.KosKosThick set sheep or cow yoghurt, eaten plain or under baked dishes.Krem karameleKrem karameleSet caramel custard turned out of its mould, the standard restaurant sweet.KukurecKukurecseasoned lamb offal wrapped in intestine and roasted on a spitLakrorLakrorKorça pan pie with leek, tomato and herbsMish në hellMish në hellwhole lamb or kid turned on a spit over embersPaçePaçepeppery head-meat soup, famed hangover curePetullaPetullafried dough served with honey, feta or jamPispiliPispilicornbread baked with leeks, spinach and fresh gjizë curdQofteQoftefried herbed meatballs, often with feta and breadQumështorQumështorbaked milk-and-egg custard slice dusted with sugarRakiRakigrape or plum spirit, offered as welcomeRaki maniRaki maniclear brandy distilled from white mulberries, strong and fragrantSalepSalepHot milky drink thickened with orchid root, dusted with cinnamon.ShendetlieShendetlieHoney and walnut cake soaked in syrup, cut into diamonds.Speca me gjizëSpeca me gjizëpeppers baked or stuffed with fresh curd cheese and herbsSufllaqeSufllaqeGrilled meat wrapped in flatbread with chips, yoghurt sauce and salad.SultjashSultjashRice pudding baked with a browned cinnamon top, eaten cold.Tavë kosiTavë kosilamb and rice baked under tangy yoghurt custard, national dishTrileçeTrileçethree-milk sponge with caramel top, wildly popularTurshiTurshiVegetables soured in vinegar and salt, served alongside rice and kebab

  • Çaj mali

    Infusion of dried mountain ironwort stalks, drunk hot with honey. Ready in 5 min prep and 15 min cooking. 4…

  • Dhallë

    Salty churned yoghurt drink. Ready in 10 min prep and 5 min plus 2 hr chilling cooking. 1.2 litres, 4…

  • Flija

    Layered pancake baked under an ember-covered lid, northern highlands. Ready in 30 min prep and 2 hr 30 min cooking.…

  • Konjak Skenderbeu

    Amber Albanian grape brandy aged in oak, drunk after dinner. Ready in n/a, produced at the distillery prep and 5…

  • Paçe

    Peppery head-meat soup, famed hangover cure. Ready in 40 min plus overnight soaking prep and 5 hr cooking. 6 deep…

  • Byrek

    Flaky phyllo pie with spinach, cheese or meat. Ready in 50 min prep and 1 hr cooking. 8 servings. A…

  • Fërgesë

    Peppers, tomato and curd cheese baked until bubbling. Ready in 20 min prep and 35 min cooking. 4 servings. A…

  • Sufllaqe

    Grilled meat wrapped in flatbread with chips, yoghurt sauce and salad. Ready in 30 min prep and 25 min cooking.…

  • Baklava

    Walnut phyllo in syrup, New Year’s favorite. Ready in 40 min prep and 1 hr plus 6 hr soaking cooking.…

  • Ballokume

    Giant Elbasan cornmeal-butter cookies for Summer Day. Ready in 30 min prep and 35 min cooking. 16 large cookies. A…