Macedonia, which has hosted many different civilizations for centuries, has a deep-rooted and rich culinary tradition. The mild climate of Macedonia, which generously displays its natural beauties with its lakes and forests, is also a source of unique fertility. Almost every branch of agriculture is made from grapes to citrus, from olive to rice, from vegetables and from grains to livestock in the soil of this tiny country located in the very heart of the Balkans. In addition, freshwater fishery is also being carried out in many of the country's lakes.
INTERESTING GASTRONOMIC FACTS ABOUT MACEDONIA The traditional Macedonian cuisine combines Balkan and Mediterranean characteristics, inherited largely from Turkish tastes that prevailed during long centuries of Ottoman rule. The travelers are delighted with the taste of Macedonian tomato, carrots, lettuces, parsley, onions, an garlic, and not to mention the rich flavor and aroma of fresh fruit, such as watermelons, melons, cherries, apricots, grapes, peaches, and others. Most herbs are collected in the local mountains and in the countryside, and these herbs are renowned for their taste, have scent and healing properties.
Food Type s Among Macedonian traditional dishes are lamb casseroles, kebabs, potatoes and cabbage dishes, soups, soups and coins, pots and casseroles, and pickles. Garlic, onion and pepper have a lot of space. The Macedonian breads and the "pogacha" spaghetti are also delicious. Macedonians mostly prefer baklava, pumpkin and revani-type desserts, halva and cake varieties with light sweeties such as fruit salad, puddings and rice pudding.
Deep Ottoman Impact Evliya Çelebi when you record the Macedonians as very fond of the mouth in your travels book, give the country especially the lamb kebab and the fish. So much so that even a lot of the food in Turkish has not changed at all. Taste like the herb of the Ottoman heritage, stew, börek, baklava, tarator, stuffed and wrapped, "çkembe chorba" trittice soup, tarhana and "turlu", and of course the turkish coffee with the boza is among the cornerstones of the Macedonian kitchen taking.
MEAT AND DAIRY PRODUCTS VERY RICH Macedonian cuisine offers a generous variety of both red meat, wings and hunting. Veal, pork, lamb, as well as wings such as geese, chickens and ducks are widely produced and consumed
SOME OF MACEDONIA'S MOST FAMOUS DISHES AND BEVERAGES
Tavch e Gravche Tavche Gravche (beans in a skillet/тавче гравче) is a traditional dish. The boiled beans first and then mixed with onion, peppers, tomato, oil, flour and various spices baked in a pottery saucepan.
Ajvar Ajvar (ayvar/ајвар) is a relish made principally from red bell peppers, with eggplant, garlic and chilli pepper. It's traditionally homemade all over the country at the beginning of the fall. Ajvar can be consumed as a bread spread, in sandwiches, a condiment, or a salad.
Kashkaval Kashkaval (Кашкавал) is a specific type of yellow sheep's milk cheese; in Macedonia the term is often used to refer to all yellow cheeses (or even any cheese besides Sirenyewhite cheese).
Tarator Tarator (Таратор) is a liquid salad, made of sour milk/ sour cream/yogurt/, cucumbers, garlic, walnuts, and vegetable oil.
Kachamak Kachamak (Качамак) is a traditional dish made of corn flour, potato and, sometimes, feta cheese. Similar to the Italian polenta, it is prepared by boiling the mixture thick or rare depending on taste, and then mashing while the pot is still on the fire. It is usually served with milk, plainyogurt, sour cream or sometimes with bacon.
Moussaka Moussaka (Musaka/Мусака) is a traditional eggplant-based dish in the Balkans and the Middle East. The Macedonian version of it traditionally consists couple of layers of ground (minced) lamb or red meat, sliced eggplant and potato (optional ingredients include: tomato, green peppers).
Pastrmajlija Pastrmajlija (пастрмајлија) is a Macedonian specialty bread pie made from dough, meat and eggs. Pastrmajlija is oval-shaped with chopped meat on top of it. The name comes from the word pastrma, meaning salted and dried meat of sheep/lamb (cf. pastrami and "pastırma"). Traditional pastrmajlija is a long shape, with a topping of small cubes of dried pork or lamb and served with two fried eggs on the top.
Burek Burek is a type of pie popular throughout the former Ottoman Empire. In Macedonia, burek is made from layers of thick dough, alternating with layers of other fillings in a circular baking pan and topped with a layer of dough. Fillings are stewed ground meat, white cheese, spinach. Burek without filling is also made, and it s known as Simit Pogacha when served into a roll.
Sarma Sarma (сарма) is the name of a minced meat (usually beef, pork, veal, rice, onions, and various spices, including salt, pepper and various local herbs are mixed together and then rolled into large plant leaves of grape or cabbage.
Grilled meat Grilled meat (local: skara/скара) - Macedonians and the other Balkan nations are known as great lovers of grilled meat; especially the tasty kjebapchinya (in the picture above) and grilled meat patty (pleskavica/плескавица) whic h go excellently with onion. Those are two most popular meals with younger and older population and they are found in the offer of many taverns (kafeana/кафеана).
Wine Wine (вино) Macedonian wines rank among the best value and most drinkable wines available anywhere. The Macedonian wineyards, especially the ones in Tikves valley area are characteristic by the exquisite grapes and even better masters for preparation of this strong alcoholic drink. The lengthy ripening process concentrates the sugar and acids in the grapes, ensuring rich colours and complex aromas in our wines.
Rakija Rakija (ракија) - Scotland has whiskey, Greece has metaxxa, while Macedonia has rakija. Throughout Macedonia, people make their own rakija, which is similar to brandy, made by distillation of fermented fruits - a very strong alcoholic beverage that is typically 50 to 60%. One version of rakija contains walnuts, altering its aroma and taste, and others plums - Slivova rakija.
Mastika Mastika (мастика) is originally a liquor made from the resin of the mastic tree. It is considered the national drink of the Republic of Macedonia containing 45% alcohol, has a hot taste not unlike that of brandy and is usually made from grapes, raisins, plums or figs. It is usually poured over ice and enjoyed with Meze (selection of appetisers or small dishes).
Shopska salad Shopska is the all time favorite salad that is ordered with almost every meal. It's made of chopped cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, onions, peppers and white brine cheese, decorated with parsley. All the flavors blend so well together that with the help of the tomato juice and creamy cheese, it s like a flavor explosion. It can be served as a summery pre-meal appetizer or as a side dish with any summer meal.
Polneti piperki i domati Polenti piperki i domati (stuffed peppers and tomatoes) is a delicious meal made of sweet peppers (red, yellow or orange) and tomatoes, stuffed with a mixture of rice, minced meat and vegetables. The peppers and tomatoes are then baked in the juices from the meat mixture and served with plain yogurt or sour cream.