One of Albania's national dishes, fërgesë tirane is a baked vegetable and cheese specialty originating from the capital of Tirana. Traditionally, this recipe uses bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, locally made salted cottage cheese (or feta cheese as a substitute), basil, butter, flour, and olive oil.
The vegetables are sautéed, while the butter and flour make a roux in a separate pan, and the cheese is set to melt over it. All the ingredients are mixed in small clay pots, seasoned, and baked in the oven. After the dish has slightly cooled down, it is served with crusty bread on the side. The vegetable version of this specialty is referred to as fergesë e tiranës me speca or fergesë e tiranës me piperka in Albanian.
Another version of this dish, named fërgesë me melçi or tavë dheu me mëlçi, is created by adding chopped liver and garlic to the mixture, and the veal version is known as fergesë e tiranës me mish viçi.