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Albania

Albania map

Albanian cuisine brings together Mediterranean freshness and the hearty traditions of the Balkans. Olive oil, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, beans, cheese, yoghurt, grains, and seasonal herbs are widely used, while the country's Adriatic and Ionian coastline gives seafood an important place in regional cooking.

Traditional dishes range from flaky pies and baked vegetable dishes to grilled meats, slow-cooked stews, and simple salads. Inland cooking is generally more substantial, whereas coastal food often feels lighter and more Mediterranean, giving Albanian cuisine considerable variety despite its relatively small territory.

Salads
Sallatë Shqiptare (Albanian Tomato, Cucumber and Feta Salad) (Sallatë Shqiptare)
10 minutes · 4 servings
Salads
Sallatë Presh (Leek and Olive Salad) (Sallatë Presh)
15 minutes · 4 servings
Lunches
Fërgesë (Peppers, Tomato and Cottage Cheese Skillet) (Fërgesë)
15 minutes · 4 servings
Soups
Supë Peshku (Albanian Coastal Fish Soup) (Supë Peshku)
20 minutes · 4 servings
Desserts
Ballokume (Elbasan Butter Cornmeal Cookies) (Ballokume)
20 minutes (plus chilling) · 12 servings
Street Food
Suxhuk me Bukë (Grilled Albanian Sausage Sandwich) (Suxhuk me Bukë)
10 minutes · 4 servings
Drinks
Kos me Ujë (Albanian Yogurt Drink) (Kos me Ujë)
5 minutes · 4 servings
Breads
Bukë Gruri Shtëpie (Homemade Albanian Wheat Bread) (Bukë Gruri Shtëpie)
20 minutes (plus 1 hour 30 minutes proofing) · 8 servings
Holidays & Special Occasions
Petulla (New Year’s Eve Fried Dough) (Petulla)
15 minutes (plus 1 hour proofing) · 6 servings
Lunches
Jani me Fasule (Albanian Bean Stew) (Jani me Fasule)
15 minutes (plus soaking) · 4 servings
Breads
Simite (Sesame Bread Rings) (Simite)
20 minutes (plus 1 hour proofing) · 8 servings
Sides
Perime në Furrë (Oven-Roasted Vegetables) (Perime në Furrë)
15 minutes · 4 servings
Appetizers
Qofte Fërguara (Fried Albanian Meatballs) (Qofte Fërguara)
20 minutes (plus chilling) · 4 servings
Appetizers
Turshi Shqiptare (Albanian Mixed Vegetable Pickle) (Turshi Shqiptare)
30 minutes (plus fermenting) · 8 servings
Breakfast
Byrek me Gjizë (Cheese-Filled Phyllo Pie) (Byrek me Gjizë)
30 minutes · 6 servings
Drinks
Çaj Mali (Albanian Mountain Herbal Tea) (Çaj Mali)
5 minutes · 4 servings
Sides
Bukë Misri (Albanian Cornbread) (Bukë Misri)
10 minutes · 6 servings
Mains
Speca të Mbushur (Stuffed Peppers with Rice and Minced Meat) (Speca të Mbushur)
25 minutes · 4 servings
Street Food
Byrek me Mish (Street-Style Meat Byrek) (Byrek me Mish)
30 minutes · 6 servings
Desserts
Trilece (Three-Milk Cake) (Trilece)
20 minutes · 8 servings
Mains
Tavë Kosi (Baked Lamb with Rice and Yogurt Sauce) (Tavë Kosi)
20 minutes · 6 servings
Breakfast
Trahana (Sour Fermented Wheat and Yogurt Porridge) (Trahana)
5 minutes · 4 servings
Soups
Supë Kosi (Sour Lamb and Yogurt Soup) (Supë Kosi)
15 minutes · 4 servings
Holidays & Special Occasions
Fli (Traditional Layered Celebration Pastry) (Fli)
40 minutes · 10 servings