Project

Topic: Albanian Traditional Foods

Subject: English
Worked by: Adela Topuzi, Lorena Aruçi, Inisilda Aruçi,
Xhesika Dinoshi, Fabjan Vata and Albi Merja X-6
Accepted by: Miss Farbardha
Albanian Traditional Foods
• 1 – Ferges – Summer Stew. (Lorena)
• 2 – Byrek – Albanian Pie. (Albi)
• 3 – Ashure – Dessert Porridge of Grains, Fruit, and Nuts.
(Inisilda)
• 4 – Flija – Crêpe-like layered dish. (Fabjani)
• 5 – Trilece – Milk Cake. (Adela)
• 6 – Petulla – Fried Dough (Xhesika)
Ferges
• Ferges is, without a doubt, one of the most traditional foods in
Albania. The dish consists mainly of tomato sauce, cottage cheese,
green peppers, and garlic. The main reason why this dish is called
a summer stew is that many Albanians like to eat it after it has
gone cold. The best way to eat this dish is to wait for it to cool
down for about 2-3 hours. This gives it a thicker consistency and
makes the ingredients stand out more. Ferges is usually eaten only
with bread. I usually dip toasted bread in the dish and eat it. The
dish is not really a typical menu option in Albanian restaurants, but
you can try it in countryside restaurants that serve traditional food.
Byrek
• Albanian pies remain one of the most preferred traditional foods. People
love them because they can take the pies on the go for a quick meal or
snack. There are many different types of fillings that can go into a byrek.
These include meat, spinach & feta cheese, onions & tomatoes, or
cottage cheese, which is the most popular of them all. Not only does this
dish have different types of fillings, but it can also come in different
shapes. This all depends on the region where you try it. Byrek is usually
served with greek yogurt or dhalle. The older generation usually
eats byrek after the main course. Others eat it most frequently as a quick
snack or as a closing plate. It is still common for Albanians to
make byrek at home, although you can also find them in local restaurants
and shops that specifically sell these pies.
Ashure
• Ashure is a traditional Albanian dessert that originated
from Turkey. It has a gelatin consistency that melts in your
mouth, giving you the chance to taste the nuts or dry fruit
that it is made with. Ashure can best be described as a
sweet porridge that is served cold. It is a popular Albanian
dessert that is traditionally eaten during the first month of
the Islamic calendar. However, you can easily find this tasty
dessert in any pastry in Albania all year round. It is a great
healthy choice for whenever you have a sweet tooth.
Flija
• This dish is common in the northern region of Albania and Kosovo. It
is a simple recipe that is usually made in Albanian homes or served in
local traditional restaurants. Flija is an easy crepe-like dish that has
a crispy texture at the top and softer texture at the bottom. The
added butter gives Flija its delicious taste. The dish is usually served
with fresh dairy such as cheese or yogurt.
• Flija requires very simple ingredients: flour, water, butter, yogurt,
eggs, oil, nuts and salt.[5] The main ingredients (flour, water and salt)
are mixed together until they become like pancake batter. Layers of
batter are baked using a saq which is a spherical metal lid used for
baking.
Trilece
• Trilece or also known as milk cake is originally from Latin America, but this
version is the Turkish cuisine‘s take on it and it’s very popular in Albania.It is
made out of three different kinds of milk that include evaporated milk, heavy
cream, and condensed milk. In Turkey and Albania, unlike in Central and South
America, the cake is then topped with caramel that gives it a strong sweet taste.
Depending on the region, this Albanian cake can be light and consisting of air
bubbles or concentrated and thick. The consistency of the cake itself all depends
on how much butter is used in the recipe. Trilece has a very unique taste that
can be described as lightly crispy and sweet at the top, soft and light in the
middle, and juicy on the bottom. However, this dessert is not for everyone. Most
people that haven’t gotten used to the taste might find the soft and moist texture
of the Trilece too overpowering to eat. If you love a soft, moist, and sweet
dessert then you can find this cake in any Albanian pastry shop.
Petulla
• Fried dough is a popular dish eaten all throughout the Balkan. In
Albania, fried dough is traditionally served in many different
ways. Petulla is commonly eaten as a snack or during dinner. You can
find food stands that serve fried dough combined with a topping of your
choice throughout Tirana and Durres. Toppings include chocolate,
strawberry jam, shredded Kackavall cheese, or ketchup. Fried dough is
quick and easy to cook in most Albanian households. The most common
way to eat them is with feta cheese or honey. Another less popular but
delicious toping it is eaten with (mainly in the northern region) is Greek
yogurt and garlic. Albanian fried dough is heavier in consistency than
doughnuts but has the same crispy outside and soft inside.