- 26. Apr 2018.
When in Serbia, eat and drink like Serbians do!
The Serbian gastronomy is a strong combination of oriental, central European and Balkan cuisines. Due to its tumultuous history, Serbia was occupied by different Empires and every one of them gave the influence to nowadays Serbian cuisine (Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians...). That's why in Serbia you will have the opportunity to try some dishes, that you maybe already tried in some well-known destinations (for example Istanbul), but believe, here the food is even better, because Serbians put a part of their soul in every meal they prepare. Food and gastronomy are really important part of our lives!
This is an example of how real, traditional Serbian feast looks like:
1. You start up with Serbian meze tray (Serbian Tapas) - a plate or a wooden board full of traditional products such as: kajmak (similar to clotted cream), proja (cornbread), gibanica (cheese and egg pie), zeljanica (spinach pie), ajvar (traditional red pepper spread), goat or cow cheese, smoked ham, smoked pork tenderloin, Serbian prosciutto, hard-boiled eggs, etc.
2. Next thing on the table is traditional soup or broths, cause in Serbia we like to say "If you haven't eaten with the spoon, you haven't eaten at all!" Two most popular broths for Serbians are chicken or veal broth.
3. Main course of the feast is next, which means meat is back on the table, once again, just in a larger quantity than at the beginning of our feast. Main symbol of traditional Serbian cuisine is Serbian barbeque plate or mixed grilled plate consisting of:
- Pljeskavica (Serbian beef burger)
- Ćevapi (minced beef rolled into finger-size)
- Karadjordjeva Šnicla - Karadjordje Steak (a veal steak stuffed with kajmak and ham, covered in breadcrumbs and deep fried)
- Kobasice (sausages)
- Uštipci (meatballs stuffed with cheese and smoked ham)
- Grilled chicken
As a side dish French fries and Srpska or Šopska Salad are served. Srpska salad is made from cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, onions, pinch of salt and pepper and a drizzle of oil. It becomes Šopska salad when we add white cheese (feta) to all previously mentioned vegetables.
This is the first option for main course. Second one is praseće or jagnjeće pečenje na ražnju (pigs or lambs spit-roasted meat). Number one meal when it comes to celebration of some important events such as weddings, birthdays, patron saint day (slava), etc.
4. Serbians finish their feast with some traditional sweet pastry such as orasnica (walnut pie), knedle sa šljivama (plum dumplings), štrudla sa makom (strudel with poppyseed), etc.
When it comes to drinks, number one traditional drink, that you MUST try in Serbia is called Rakija - brandy made from natural ingredients (fruits or herbs). Šljivovica (plum brandy) is the most popular one, but you may also try brandies made from peach, pear, grape, cherry, honey, etc.
"I came here because I have never been in this region before... In a very short time I have found two things, both important to me: the food is amazing and the approach to the cinema is far more intellectual than in America!" - Jack Nicholson