Table od content:
- Introduction
- Balkan Food – Eat and Forget Your Worries!
- Balkan Food on Our Balkan Tour
- History of Balkan Food
- Conclusion
Introduction
Some of the main reasons why people from distant parts of the world want to visit the Balkans are its nature and rich historical heritage. However, besides all that, Balkan food plays a significant role in the number of tourists in this region.
Many tourists visit the Balkans to taste flavors that leave them breathless and return home with a few extra pounds, not because this food easily makes you gain weight, but because once you try Balkan food, you can’t stop eating it!
Balkland takes you on a Balkan tour that will allow you to taste the most delicious Balkan food. Each Balkan country boasts its known specialty, and on this journey, you’ll sample their specialties and relish every Balkan flavor!
Balkan Food – Eat and Forget Your Worries!
As we said, every Balkan country is known for its specialty. Whichever Balkan country you visit, you’ll have something to try. You’ll enjoy every specialty from tasty meats, to airy dough, and spicy dishes.
Spices in every dish
Although each country has its separate specialties, they also have something in common. First and foremost, that’s the use of herbs and spices. Spices are a mandatory ingredient in every Balkan dish. They are added in larger quantities but can be adjusted as needed.
One of the most commonly used spices is paprika. Hot or sweet paprika is used depending on your preference. People also add spices like pepper and essential parsley to homemade soup, which is a must-have on the table in all Balkan countries, and of course, garlic to enhance the flavor profile of every specialty.
Meat in every Balkan food
You’ll often see pork, beef, lamb, and chicken in most Balkan specialties. Lamb and pork are often served as roasts in mountainous regions. In every Balkan country, trying cured meat products is inevitable and a must, as people commonly serve them as a cold appetizer.
People often combine meat with various spices, herbs, and marinades to achieve a richer and more complex flavor. Although meat is a key ingredient, it’s worth noting that Balkan cuisine is not just about meat. It also abounds in various vegetables, fruits, dairy products, grains, and seafood, providing a wide range of flavors and textures that satisfy different dietary needs and preferences.
Seasonal and organic ingredients
Balkan food is known for its homemade production. Almost every Balkan dish is made from entirely homegrown ingredients. In all regions of the Balkans, people use seasonal fruits and vegetables for cooking because they represent the best choice in terms of food quality.
Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, zucchini, carrots, onions, and potatoes are just some of the ingredients people commonly use in dishes such as stuffed cabbage rolls, ajvar, moussaka, soups, and salads.
In addition to seasonal vegetables and fruits, there are also milk and dairy products that are also of organic origin. In many Balkan regions, people engage in livestock farming and agriculture, so they utilize their homemade products in food preparation. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and cream are common ingredients in many Balkan dishes. People often use cheeses like feta, kajmak, leaf cheese, and young cheese as additions to dishes or as standalone meals.
Hospitality
And finally, the most important ingredient in every Balkan food is the hospitality of the hosts. Wherever you find yourself in any Balkan country, alongside great and tasty food, you’ll also receive hospitality like you’ve never experienced before.
Regardless of the specifics of the dish, people often prepare and share every Balkan specialty in a social environment, whether it’s family gatherings, celebrations, or special occasions, creating a sense of unity and belonging.
Balkan Food on Our Balkan Tour
Gravče na tavče
“Gravče na tavče” originates from North Macedonia. This North Macedonian traditional specialty has left everyone who tried it on our Balkan tour speechless. Macedonians love this dish not only for its taste but also for its simple preparation and the availability of ingredients. People often prepare it on special occasions such as family gatherings, holidays, or celebrations, further emphasizing its role as a symbol of tradition and togetherness.
What’s particularly striking about this specialty is that people serve it in a clay pot called “tava,” hence the name “Gravče na tavče,” which translates to “Beans cooked in a skillet.
Below is how the preparation of this national North Macedonian dish looks like:
Bean preparation: Dry beans are soaked overnight in water to soften. Then they are boiled in salted water until they become tender but not too mushy.
Sauce preparation: In another pot, people prepare a sauce from onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and various spices like red pepper, black pepper, and bay leaf. They simmer this sauce in oil until it becomes rich in flavor.
Baking in the Tavče: After the beans are cooked, they are drained and poured over with the prepared sauce. Then everything is baked together in a preheated clay pot in the oven. This process allows the flavors of the beans and the sauce to meld, creating a rich and full taste.
Serving: People usually serve gravče na tavče warm as the main dish, accompanied by homemade bread, yogurt, or a salad of fresh vegetables.
Ajvar
Another indispensable specialty that our travelers on the Balkan tour tried in North Macedonia is ajvar. AAjvar is a thick spread made from roasted red peppers, tomatoes, garlic, oil, and spices, and it’s one of the most beloved specialties in the Balkans.
From North Macedonia, Serbia, and Croatia, to Bosnia and Herzegovina, every household prepares and eats ajvar. Families make it once a year, and the whole family participates in its preparation. Later, they serve this spread with almost every meal on the table.
The preparation of ajvar typically involves several steps:
Roasting Peppers: People roast red peppers on a grill, in the oven, or over an open flame until they soften and acquire a slightly caramelized skin.This process gives the peppers a richer flavor and aroma.
Peeling and Blending: Once people roast and cool the peppers, they peel and remove the seeds. Then, they blend the peppers with tomatoes, garlic, oil, vinegar, and spices into a smooth mixture.
Cooking: The mixture is cooked over low heat until it becomes thick and consistent. During this process, all the flavors meld together, and the texture becomes creamy and rich.
Cooling and Preserving: After cooking ajvar, people usually cool it down and then pack it into glass jars. They can store it in the refrigerator and use it as a spread, sauce, or condiment.
People typically serve ajvar as a side dish with various dishes like roasted meat, barbecue, pies, cheeses, or as a spread on bread. Its richness of flavor, simple preparation, and ability to be preserved make ajvar a symbol of traditional Balkan food.
Pljeskavica sa Kajmakom (Burger with cream)
The landscapes of Bosnia and Herzegovina are known for delicious and irresistible barbecues of all kinds. However, one of the most famous specialties when it comes to barbecue is pljeskavica sa kajmakom – a juicy burger with a sauce made of homemade kajmak. No one on our Balkan tour was left indifferent by this dish! It’s a favorite among meat lovers throughout the Balkans, and its preparation is a true delight for the palate and soul.
The preparation of Pljeskavica sa kajmakom involves the following steps:
Preparing the Burger: Typically, people make the burger from a mixture of ground meat, usually beef, pork, or lamb, combined with spices such as onions, pepper, garlic, and optionally various herbs. They shape the mixture into a flat hamburger patty and grill or cook it in a pan until it turns golden brown and juicy inside.
Preparing the Kajmak: Kajmak, a type of dairy product similar to butter or cream, results from fermenting milk and then cooking it to achieve a thick and creamy consistency. In this case, kajmak is used as a sauce for the burger.
Serving: The cook usually serves the burger topped with a rich layer of warmed kajmak, which they heat beforehand to make it liquid and easy to pour. People often serve this dish with a side dish of choice, such as potatoes, French fries, bread, or salad.
Additional Preparation Tip: If you decide to prepare pljeskavica sa kajmakom, organize a gathering and enjoy the preparation together! People often associate the preparation and consumption of “pljeskavica sa kajmakom” with socializing, family gatherings, or special occasions, further highlighting its role as a symbol of unity and enjoyment of food.
Salads: As we mentioned at the beginning of our blog, people in the Balkans most often use seasonal and organic vegetables and fruits for the preparation of all dishes, including salads. Different salads with various ingredients are obligatory accompaniments to every Balkan dish.
Šopska salata
Šopska salad is one of the most famous salads in the Balkans. It consists of chopped fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions.
And people place fresh cheese over everything as the main ingredient. This cheese needs to be of high quality and homemade to represent authentic Balkan food.
Because of its diverse ingredients, šopska salad is a standalone cold dish that people often serve. Fans of fresh vegetables consume this salad in large quantities!
The most important thing is to prepare the salad quickly and easily:
Ingredients:
2 large tomatoes
1 cucumber
1 red pepper
1 red onion
Fresh lettuce leaves
Feta cheese
Olive oil
White vinegar
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Vegetable Preparation: Wash and dry the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, and red onion. Slice the tomatoes into slices, cucumber into thin slices, pepper into strips, and onion into thin rings.
Salad Assembly: Place lettuce leaves at the bottom of the plate as a base. Then arrange the sliced tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, and red onion over the lettuce.
Cheese Sprinkling: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the vegetables. You can also use white cheese as an alternative.
Dressing: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, white vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Serving: Pour the dressing over the assembled salad. Optionally, you can garnish the salad with fresh parsley.
Mešana salata (Mixed Salad)
No perfect Balkan meal is complete without a mixed salad! People worldwide, especially across the Balkans, love mixed salad, considering it a simple yet beloved dish. This salad is popular for its variety, refreshing taste, and ease of preparation.
In addition to being tasty and nutritious, it is also refreshing and ideal for hot summer days. Considering its simplicity and adaptability, mixed salad has become a favorite choice for all lovers of a healthy and delicious meal.
The quality and taste of mixed salad largely depend on the quality of the vegetables used for its preparation. The fresher the vegetables, the better the salad!
Ingredients:
1 head of lettuce
1 cucumber
2 tomatoes
1 red bell pepper
1 red onion
Olives (optional)
Feta cheese (optional)
Olive oil
Lemon juice (or vinegar, as desired)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Vegetable Preparation: Wash and dry the lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion. Cut the lettuce into smaller pieces or leave the leaves whole, then slice the cucumber, tomatoes, and red bell pepper into rounds, and the red onion into thin slices.
Assembling the Salad: On a large plate or salad bowl, arrange the lettuce leaves. Over the lettuce, distribute the sliced cucumber, tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion. If using olives and feta cheese, add them over the vegetables.
Dressing: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar), salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Serving: Mixed salad is best served immediately. You can serve it as an appetizer, a side dish with the main course, or as a refreshing meal on its own.
History of Balkan Food
The greatest characteristic of Balkan food is its diversity. During our Balkan tour, we tasted many specialties that differ in many ways, but they are all the same in one thing: delicious!
In different Balkan countries, you will encounter the same specialties, but they will differ in at least one ingredient or method of preparation. This allows you to determine and choose the preparation method and flavor intensity that suits you.
The long history of the Balkans reflects the immense diversity of Balkan food. Historical traces of Balkan cuisine go deep into the past and reflect the rich cultural diversity of this region. Indeed, the Romans had a significant influence on Balkan food, bringing with them new cooking techniques such as food preservation and the use of olives in most dishes. They also introduced the use of spices such as rosemary and basil, which add a stronger aroma to each dish.
During the Ottoman Empire, delicious baklava, various pies with the tastiest dough, and of course, lamb and mutton dishes became part of Balkan food. And finally, in the new, modern age, Balkan cuisine began to adapt to new needs and desires.
The most important thing is that the Balkan people have never and will never completely abandon their traditional way of preparation. That’s why Balkan food is always delicious and recognizable worldwide!
Conclusion
In every bite of Balkan food, there is a deep connection to the history and tradition of this region. With each specialty comes a story – a story of centuries-old recipes, local ingredients, and cooking secrets passed down from generation to generation. This is what makes Balkan food not just a cuisine, but a living heritage that connects us to the past and enriches the present.
What makes Balkan food so special isn’t just the taste of the food itself, but also the spirit of togetherness that is always present at the table. Balkan families often prepare and share their food together during family gatherings, celebrations, or even on ordinary days. This hospitality and joy accompanying every bite make Balkan food not only a culinary experience but also an emotional connection to tradition and culture.
During our Balkan tour, our travelers immersed themselves in the world of delicious food, which, when mixed with good company, song and music, and the beautiful natural landscapes of the Balkans, provides complete enjoyment and a true vacation. So don’t miss the opportunity – dare to embark on an unforgettable journey to the most delicious Balkan food!
