Albania is a country with a rich history and culture, and its distinctive cuisine is an inseparable part of it. White cheese dominates, appearing in both simple and more elaborate dishes. Fresh local ingredients are essential — vegetables, fruit, fish and meats such as lamb and goat — while spices play a key role, led by the region's characteristic peppers. The Balkan flavours of Albania are a real feast for the senses, full of varied aromas and fresh produce.
Meat rules the Albanian table. One of the greatest delicacies is lamb — restaurants sometimes serve a whole lamb on the spit. The most famous, however, are the lamb ribs known as brinjë qengji.
Popular dishes
Among the most popular Albanian dishes are: byrek, tavë dheu / fërgesë me mëlçi, tavë kosi, qofte, pulë me oriz (chicken with rice), suflaqe, frog legs, paçe and paçe koke, fërgesë, stuffed aubergines (patëllxhan të mbushur), stuffed peppers (speca të mbushur), vegetable qofte, jufka, japrak, qifqi, fasule (beans), vegetable soup, tomato soup, local cheeses, pispili / corn pie, pasticio, petulla, dhallë, and a variety of fish and seafood dishes.
Desserts
For something sweet, try: ashure, trileçe, baklava, kadaif, sultjash (rice pudding), yoghurt with honey and walnuts (kos me mjaltë dhe arra), revani, hasude and kabuni.
Albanian wines and rakia pair perfectly with the local food. Enjoy your meal — Ju bëftë mirë!
