Macedonian cuisine

This article is about the cuisine of the Republic of Macedonia. For the cuisine of the Greek Province of Macedonia, see Macedonian cuisine (Greek).

Tavče-gravče, the national dish of Macedonia.

Slavomacedonian cuisine, an aspect of Balkan cuisine, is the traditional cuisine of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It reflects Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences and shares characteristics of other Balkan cuisines. The relatively warm climate of the country provides excellent growth conditions for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Slavomacedonian cuisine is also noted for the diversity and quality of its dairy products, wines, and local alcoholic beverages, such as rakija.

Among meats, beef, mutton and chicken are the most common ones. Pork is rarely used (not just by the Muslim minority, but by the Christian majority as well).

Tavče-gravče and mastika are considered the national dish and drink of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, respectively.

Foods

Turli Tava

Сommon breakfast - prženi lepčinja.

• Tavče-Gravče
• Turli Tava
• Ajvar, roasted red pepper spread. Can be mild or hot.
• Kebapi
• Polneti Piperki (stuffed capsicum (usually filled with rice or rice with meat)
• Pita (pastry)
• Burek
• Malidzano, an eggplant spread
• Musaka
• Pindzur, a spicy vegetable relish
• Popara
• Pastrmajlija
• Sharplaninski ovchi Kashkaval (hard sheep's milk cheese from the Šar Mountains – Šar Planina in Macedonian)
• Shirden and Kukurek
• Sarma
• Kisela Zelka and Rasolnica (Sour cabbage)
• Mekici (also known as tiganici or pishii), fried lumps of dough
• Chorba od Kopriva (Creamy Nettle Soup)
• Kompir Mandza (a potato and meat stew)
• Pleskavica (also Sharska and Ajducka )
• Kachamak (aka. Bakadarnik)
• Zelnik
• Selsko meso is roast beef, pork and lamb with mushrooms, white wine and yellow cheese on top, mostly made in clay pottery
• Tarator

Desserts

Tulumba

• Kadaif
• Med
• Tulumba
• Palačinki (Crêpe)
• Kompot
• Lokum
• Baklava

Drinks

Coffee

Turkish coffee

Macedonia has a well-developed coffee culture, and Turkish coffee is by far the most popular coffee beverage. With over 5,000 establishments, the traditional Macedonian coffeehouse and bar—the kafeana—is one of the most common places to go out and have a drink. However, because of the negative stereotypes surrounding the kafana, many younger people prefer to frequent the more Western-styled cafés which are also seen as being classier.

From the days of the Ottoman Empire through to the present, coffee has played an important role in Macedonian lifestyle and culture. The serving and consumption of coffee has had a profound effect on betrothal and gender customs, political and social interaction, prayer, and hospitality customs. Although many of the rituals are not prevalent in today's society, coffee has remained an integral part of Macedonian culture.

Other coffee beverages such as lattes, cafe mochas and cappuccinos are becoming increasingly popular with the opening of more upmarket cafés. Professionals and businesspeople have contributed to the popularity instant coffee (especially frappé).

Alcohol

Zlaten Dab, a high quality Macedonian beer produced from 11% beer malt with a content of 4.5% vol. alcohol

• Wine
  • Vranec
  • Traminec
  • Alexandria
  • Smederevka

Traditionally, white wine would be consumed in the summer, and red wine, in winter.

• Mastika
• Rakija
• Beer
  • Skopsko
  • Krali Marko
  • Zlaten Dab
  • Gorsko
  • Bitolsko
  • Kenbach
• Boza, a drink made from millet, traditionally sold by ethnic Albanian vendors.
• Salep
• Yoghurt (Kefir)
• Mineral water
  • Gorska Voda
  • Pelisterka
  • Pella rosa
  • Ilina
  • Kozufcanka
  • Ladna

See also

• European cuisine
• Cuisine of the Mediterranean
• Eastern European cuisine

External links

• Macedonian food, cuisine and recipes blog
• Macedonian Cuisine, cuisine and recipes portal
• Macedonian Cuisine, food recipes