Erin Elizabeth
You will likely be a fan of many Albanian dishes if you enjoy Mediterranean cuisine.
Albanian food centralizes ingredients such as olive oil, wheat, meat, fish, and vegetables to varying levels depending on what region of origin. The Mediterranean Sea and its climate have influenced what foods are prevalent in Albanian culture.
So whether you’re already a fan of Albanian cuisine or wish to introduce yourself to its delicacies, read on as I share my list of the most popular Albanian food and what makes it unique.
Petulla is Albania's personal take on fried dough, a beloved snack for young children and anyone with a sweet tooth.
Petulla dough is formed into bite-sized balls and fried in vegetable oil in batches until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.
If you enjoy foods such as funnel cakes, you'll absolutely love Petulla.
Qofte is Albania's take on meatballs or meat patties, popular ways to prepare Qofte include things like sandwiches, sausages, or served plain with a side of chips.
Versatility is an excellent quality of Qofte as you can serve it as an appetizer, the main course, or as an ingredient.
The meat in Qofte is usually minced lamb or beef with several seasonings and other ingredients.
Byrek is a flaky pastry of thin layers of dough that is traditionally filled with cheese, milk, and eggs.
This popular Albanian pastry dish would make for a delicious breakfast to start your day with.
Pastries are some of my favorite dishes, so this is an ideal pick for me for a delightful meal.
Flija is essentially layered pancakes with a unique cooking recipe.
The proper way to cook Flija involves cooking the dough and filling it one layer at a time with a special pie pan heated over an open flame. I think this dish is worth trying just because of the unique way it's prepared!
Tavë Kosi is considered by many to be an unofficial national dish of Albania.
This dish also goes by the name Tavë Elbasani as the first recorded recipe of this dish originated in the city of Elbasan, Albania.
The dish is a casserole of seasoned rice and lamb meat, usually coated with a sauce made with yogurt and eggs.
If you enjoy soup, you'll likely enjoy this next dish.
Jani me Fasule is a bean soup with a recipe that will vary depending on the region of Albania it originates from.
The day before the soup is made, the beans are soaked overnight to intensify the meal's flavor.
Speca te mbushura is a recipe for stuffed peppers that many families across Albania are beloved.
The peppers are usually filled with ground beef crumbles and jasmine or basmati rice, among various other ingredients. I enjoy the combination of rice and meat in this dish.
Fërgesë, better known as Fërgesë Tirane, is a baked dish consisting of cheese and vegetables. Cottage or feta are the typical cheeses of choice for this dish.
The vegetables are sautéed, which is how I love my vegetables prepared, before being baked with the cheese.
Alternate versions of this dish sometimes include meats such as liver.
Much like Tavë Kosi, the original recipe for Ballokume came from the town of Elbasani.
Ballokume is biscuit cookies that are traditionally prepared during a specific Albanian holiday known as Dita e Verës.
These cookies are soft and sweet, making for a wholesome pastry to enjoy with friends and family.
Continuing with popular Albanian desserts, Trileçe, also known as three-milk cake, is a decadent sponge cake.
Trileçe is served cold and typically covered in a topping of caramel. I enjoy that this cake is served cold because it makes it a perfect pairing with a hot coffee or tea.
Tarator is a soup composed of Bulgarian yogurt and various vegetables.
The recipe for this soup is commonly edited, with many ingredients being omitted or added.
Other than yogurt, the main ingredients associated with this soup are cucumbers, garlic, walnuts, and chopped dill.
Kackavall is a widely popular brand of cheese in the Mediterranean region. This cheese is made from cow's milk.
Kackavall is a significant ingredient in the popular Albanian dish, Kackavall ne Furre me Domate.
This dish is traditionally made of baked cheese, tomatoes, and other herbs.
Final Thoughts
I find Albanian cuisine to be quite pleasant and unique. The simple ingredients of the dishes, combined with the creative ways they are prepared, are my favorite part of the food.
Considering this, it’s no wonder Albanian foods have become popular worldwide.
Learn about other foods from around the world on our blog, like other Mediterranean dishes or food from other parts of the world, like Argentinian dishes!
