Although the Greeks did not invent pasta, they have been consuming similar foods since ancient times. Actually, some terms we usually associate with Italian food like lasagna and macaroni are thought by some to be of Greek origin.
However, this dish takes its name from the Italian pasticcio, a large family of pies featuring pasta and ragú. Pastitsio is to Greeks what lasagne are to the Italians and what mac and cheese is to Americans - intensely aromatic, rich and gooey layers of tubular pasta in a hearty sauce consisting of tomatoes and ground lamb or beef meat, topped with béchamel sauce and, ideally, sprinkled with grated kefalotyri or kasseri cheese.
This classic Greek casserole consists of a combination of pasta and tomato-braised meat that is prepared as a one-pot oven dish. Although veal is the traditional choice, various types of meat may be employed, while the rich tomato sauce is usually seasoned with cinnamon, allspice, red wine, cloves, and bay leaves.
Tradition suggests using two types of pasta, the small-sized orzo or the square-shaped hilopites, and topping the casserole with a layer of grated cheese. Giouvetsi, named after Turkish earthenware, is a common meal served on large family gatherings and various festive occasions.
Moussaka is one of the best known Greek dishes – a baked casserole consisting of ground lamb meat and layers of sliced eggplant, covered with a thick layer of bechamel sauce that gets golden and crusty as it bakes. The lamb is sometimes replaced with beef, while the eggplants might be replaced with zucchini or potatoes.
It is likely that moussaka has Middle-Eastern origins, and it was introduced when the Arabs brought the eggplant to Greece. Its Greek name mousakás is derived from the Turkish musakka, which came from the Arabic word musaqqa'ah, meaning chilled.
MOST ICONIC Moussaka
View moreAn authentic Transylvanian specialty, varză a la Cluj consists of sour cabbage, minced meat, and rice. The sour cabbage is first cooked, and then combined with a mixture of seasoned minced meat, onions, and rice in a casserole dish, traditionally in alternating layers.
Often topped with a mixture of sour cream and milk, the dish is sometimes flavored with tomato sauce or sour cream between layers. A version of this Romanian dish, mentioned in a 1695 cookbook, called for a combination of minced cabbage and a variety of meats, including beef, ham, chicken, or goose, all seasoned with salt, pepper, and ginger.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Kapama is a typical Bulgarian dish that is most often prepared in the region of Bansko and Razlog. The key ingredients include sauerkraut and different types of meat such as chicken, veal, pork, and rabbit, while rice and sausages can be added to the dish according to personal preferences.
Some people also like to add plums, potatoes, or beets to the dish. The unique flavors of kapama are achieved with spices such as pepper, bay leaves, and paprika, and the dish should be prepared in layers. Kapama should also be baked in an oven for at least four hours at low temperature, in a clay pot that is sealed with dough.
MOST ICONIC Banska kapama
View moreThis traditional stew or casserole is typical of Balkan cuisine, and it carries the name of the clay or earthenware pot in which it is traditionally prepared - guvech. Bulgarian guvech stems from the Turkish word güveç (meaning earthenware pot) and suggests the specialty’s Turkish origins.
It usually consists of a variety of seasonal vegetables, meat, spices, and herbs that are simmered for hours, resulting in a flavor-packed dish with a unique, earthy aroma. Typical vegetables used for the preparation of this dish include potatoes, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, onions, carrots, zucchini, peas, and okra, while the selection of spices and herbs usually includes pepper, paprika, mint, parsley, and garlic.
Tavë kosi, dubbed the unofficial national dish of Albania, is a casserole dish consisting of lamb meat and rice that's been seasoned and topped with kos, Albanian soured milk made from goat's or ewe's milk. The dish dates back to the 15th century and originates from the town of Elbasani, but today it is enjoyed throughout Albania and Kosovo, as well as Turkey, where it's known under the name Elbasan tava, topped with béchamel sauce instead of kos.
The original recipe has now been modified, so instead of soured milk, the dish is usually coated with a sauce made of yogurt and eggs, while another common variation, tavë kosi me mish pule, replaces lamb with chicken meat.
Patatato is a signature specialty of the Greek island of Amorgos, in the Aegean Sea. This dish is a combination of meat and potatoes which are cooked slowly in a rich tomato sauce with onions, garlic, olive oil, and red or white wine. Goat or kid meat is the usual choice of meat for this specialty, although a combination of kid, lamb, and beef or veal may also be used.
The dish is characterized by an intense aroma and flavor due to the use of aromatic spices such as cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and pepper. Traditionally, this delicacy is prepared and served on special occasions such as weddings, fairs, and religious festivals that are celebrated on the island.
Krushevsko grne is a typical North Macedonian meze dish made with a combination of grated white brine and yellow cheeses, often flavored with mushrooms and slices of smoked or dried meat such as ham or cured pork neck (or homemade Krushevo sausage).
The dish is topped with sour cream mixed with tomato sauce, tomato paste, or ketchup. All ingredients are layered in an earthenware pot, which is brushed with tomato sauce, paste, or ketchup, and the concoction is then baked in the oven until it becomes nicely browned on the surface.
Yogurtlitava is a traditional North Macedonian spring dish that combines meat, rice, and a mixture of eggs and yogurt or sour milk baked in a casserole pot. It is normally prepared with lamb, but veal, beef, or any other type of meat can serve as a replacement.
This dish is traditionally prepared for Easter in many households across the country, but especially in Bitola, where the family lunch gatherings for this holiday are incomplete without it. The dish is usually accompanied by scallions, fresh salads, and a glass of red wine.
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