Previous to our 10 day street journey by means of the wild nation of Albania, we didn’t know a lot in regards to the historical past, we have been a bit not sure of the tradition and customs, and we most definitely have been unaware of how scrumptious Albanian meals is!
The UNESCO city of Berat is residence to a few of the finest meals we’ve ever eaten. Anyplace.
We could have solely dined at one restaurant in city (Mangalemi Restaurant), however that’s as a result of the meals was genuine Albanian, the home-cooked meals have been scrumptious, and the costs have been greater than honest.
Implausible Albanian meals could be discovered throughout the nation, however the dishes that stood out for us essentially the most have been discovered in Berat.
From inland Berat, we additionally made our solution to the coast the place we discovered some extra delicious Albanian meals, with an Italian flare.
Whereas Albanian meals isn’t often known as being the preferred or the perfect in the world like another well-known cuisines (Chinese language, Mexican, Italian, and so forth.), it’s undoubtedly distinctive, flavourful and scrumptious!
Try these 10 mouth-watering dishes from our travels in Albania.
1. Freshly Caught Shrimp
Being situated proper on the Ionian Sea, it comes as no shock that contemporary seafood is in style with vacationers and locals in Saranda.
The fishermen promote their catch early in the morning proper alongside the pedestrian promenade, so if you wish to take a peek on the fish on supply, head there round 9:00 and test it out. Eating seaside whereas feasting on freshly caught shrimp is a should.
Value: 1500 ALL ($12) for 15 shrimp
2. Fëgesë
This easy dish ended up being one among our go-to meals for lunch.
Inexperienced and purple peppers, together with skinned tomatoes and onions are cooked down with cottage cheese and spices. The tip product is a thick dip, which when accompanied with some bread is definitely fairly filling.
Value: 300 ALL ($2.40)
3. Tavë Kosi
Albanian meals is thought for that includes lamb and veal, and the tavë kosi is without doubt one of the most beloved dishes in the nation.
Lamb is baked in an earthenware dish with eggs and yogurt. The tip result’s a quiche-like dish, with tender meat and a lightweight, creamy egg topping.
Value: 500 ALL ($4.00)
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4. Perime Në Scarë
Grilled greens are a preferred appetizer or accompaniment not solely in Albanian meals, however all the jap Balkans.
Usually, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onions and peppers are the greens of alternative, and oftentimes cheese shall be crumbled on high.
Value: 300-400 ALL ($2.40 – $3.20)
5. Fileto Pule Me Panna Dhe Kerpudha
Translated, that is grilled hen breast with a cream sauce and contemporary mushrooms. Since lamb and veal are the preferred meats in Albania, it’s a welcomed change to see hen on the menu!
Value: 650 ALL ($5.25)
6. Chocolate Delight!
The cafe tradition, full with “dolces” (sweets or desserts in Italian) are in style in Albania.
Individuals sit in cafes whereas puffing on cigarettes, ingesting espresso, and consuming these scrumptious desserts. This one was principally all chocolate with a little bit of cake inside. It was extraordinarily wealthy and really scrumptious.
Value: 150 ALL ($1.20)
7. Speca me Glizë
Yellow, orange, or purple peppers are full of rice, cottage cheese and spices, earlier than being baked in the oven. This was one among our favorite Albanian meals, because it was bursting with flavour, and was a wholesome alternative.
Value: 250 ALL ($2.00)
8. Byrek Mangalemi
A particular of Mangalemi Restaurant, this can be a scrumptious savoury pie. Topping a skinny crust is a fluffy mixture of pumpkin, potato, cottage cheese and a touch of lemon. Divine!
Value: 250 ALL ($2.00)
9. Pizza
Because of the massive Italian affect in Albania, there are various Italian meals on the menus — pizza, pasta, risotto, and extra.
Whereas there’s nothing fairly like having pizza in Italy, the wood-fired pizzas in Albania are literally very well finished and could be discovered throughout the nation.
We had a pair whereas we have been staying alongside the Ionian Sea.
Value: 550 ALL ($4.45) for a big pepperoni pizza
10. Shëndetli
This honey nut cake is a typical Albanian dessert and can be a very talked-about one.
It’s made with all the normal cake suspects – baking soda, flour, sugar, eggs – however what units it aside is the addition of honey and walnuts.
Additionally, when the cake is prepared, a scorching syrup made with vanilla, sugar, water and cloves is poured over the cake and left to soak in a single day. This dessert is scrumptious and isn’t too candy both.
Value: 150 ALL ($1.20)
Get pleasure from all the tasty meals in Albania!
Typically when travelling, we are likely to get a bit uninterested in having the identical delicacies day after day. Nevertheless, Albanian meals had sufficient of a spread to fulfill all of our meals cravings whereas travelling across the nation.
We liked the truth that virtually every part that we ordered from the menu can be not solely scrumptious, however cheap as nicely. Tell us which tasty Albanian dishes you’d add to this listing!
Learn extra: Acclimatizing to Albania: Our 10 Days of Journey
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