Macedonian cuisine

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

Tavče-gravče, the national dish of the Republic of Macedonia.

Macedonian cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the Republic of Macedonia—a representative of the cuisine of the Balkans—reflecting Mediterranean (Greek and Turkish) and Middle Eastern influences, and to a lesser extent Italian, German and Eastern European (especially Hungarian) ones. The relatively warm climate in the Republic of Macedonian provides excellent growth conditions for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Macedonian cuisine is also noted for the diversity and quality of its dairy products, wines, and local alcoholic beverages, such as rakija.

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

Traditional Macedonian foods

Macedonian cuisine

• Tavče-Gravče
• Turli Tava
• Ajvar, a bell 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
• Pindzur, a spicy vegetable relish
• Popara
• Pastrmajlija

Turli Tava

• Sharplaninski ovchi Kashkaval (hard sheep's milk cheese from the Šar Mountains – Šar Planina in Macedonian)
• Shirden and Kukurek
• 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 or burger (also Sharska and Ajducka )
• Kachamak (aka. Bakrdan)
• Zelnik
• Selsko meso is roast beef, pork and lamb with mushrooms, white wine and yellow cheese on top, mostly made in clay pottery

Traditional Macedonian desserts

Tulumba

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

Drinks

Coffee

The Republic of 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, high quality Macedonian beer produced of 11% beer malt with a content of 4, 5 % vol. alcohol

• Wine
  • Vranec
  • Traminec
  • Alexandria
  • Smederevka
• Mastika
• Rakija
• Beer
  • Skopsko
  • Krali Marko
  • Zlaten dab
  • Gorsko
• Boza
• Salep
• Yoghurt (Kefir)
• Mineral water
  • Gorska Voda
  • Pelisterka
  • Pella rosa
  • Ilina
  • Kozufcanka

See also

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

References

External links

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