One of the ways to get to know the culture of a country and a nation is to stop by a national restaurant and try a dish that is specific to that climate. These are the best national dishes of European cuisine. Some will be reminded of a better period, and some will be included in the wish list of these places for some future trips.
1. Pierogy in Poland
There are so many reasons to visit Poland, but "try pierogi" should be at the top of your list. These little dumplings can be filled with literally anything. The classic version includes potatoes and cheese, meat and cabbage or just vegetables. They are often served topped with sour cream and fried onions or pork. They are also popular as a dessert, stuffed with fruit and sweet cheese.
2. Delicious pasteis de nata (Portuguese dessert)
Can be found all over the world, but no one can make you exactly as they are served in Portuguese pastry shops and restaurants. These golden brown pastries are filled with caramelized cream, while the shell on the outside entices you, thin enough to delight every palate when combined with sweets. Order it with strong black coffee.
3. Canelbullar in Sweden
"Canelbullar" literally translates as "cinnamon rolls" and we can promise you that they are better than any you have ever tried before. The soft and "puffy" dough, spiced with cardamom, is coated with butter and stuffed with cinnamon. These rolls are most enjoyed when they are fresh from the oven, and can be found in most Swedish bakeries. You will be able to smell them for a mile.
4. Lakror in Albania
This dish is a kind of mixture of Turkish burek and Greek spinach; it is a fluffy, buttery pastry usually filled with a mixture of spinach or leeks, eggs and yogurt. It is also a dish made by real grandmothers, but cheap street food is also commonly available in bakeries. It is widely available in the mountain town of Korce, but you can find it all over the country.
5. Currywurst in Germany
We all know that Germans make good sausages, but currywurst is something completely different. Second level. This popular street food includes chopped sausages topped with ketchup mixed with curry powder. It sounds weird, but something about it just works. They are best eaten with french fries and beer.
6. Arancini in Italy
Whatever you try in Italy, you won't go wrong. This is a country of gourmets and the best European cuisine. But before you make a plan for pasta and pizza, think about a modest arancina. It is a ball of rice, stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables, and then crumbled and fried to golden perfection. Arancini is often eaten as a quick snack or as a lunch on the go - a favorite meal of students who do not have a big budget.
7. Bocadillo de jamon in Spain
It looks like a normal ham sandwich, but never underestimate a good bocadillo de jamon. The inside of crispy but soft Spanish baguettes is often soaked in olive oil and garlic, followed by a layer of thin smoked ham. Some variations may also contain manchego cheese, peppers, tomatoes or olives, but even the most classic ones are delicious.
8. Karjalanpiirakka in Finland
It is often called "Karelian pie". It’s made from simple ingredients, but you wouldn’t guess that when tasting. The thin rye crust is stuffed with potatoes, rice or carrots and various other ingredients.
9. Soupe a l’oignon in France
France has a lot of amazing food, but you have to try this soup. It is thick and rich - top quality lunch food in one of the famous French cafes and restaurants.
For example, in the famous Cafe de Flore. Onion soup and meat stocks are topped with crispy bread, which is sometimes baked with cheese.
10. Haggis in Scotland
It may sound a little repulsive, but whoever tries haggis once, will order it at least once more.
It is ground sheep's entrails (heart, liver and lungs) mixed with onions, oatmeal and spices. It is usually served with mashed potatoes and beets, and is considered the main dish of Scottish cuisine.
11. Mekici in Bulgaria
This traditional Bulgarian pastry is kind of like a flat donut. The dough is made from yogurt, then shaped into a flat disk and fried in deep oil.
It is usually eaten for breakfast, dusted with powdered sugar and enjoyed with fruit and yogurt. Some people also like the salty option with soft cheese. In any case, you can't go wrong.
12. Bramborak in the Czech Republic
This is basically a potato pancake. Grated potatoes are combined with eggs and spices, and then fried in panfri. It is a common street snack throughout the country; some regional variations include sauerkraut or meat.
13. Tavče na gravče in Northern Macedonia
You must have tried this simple, traditional meal, but it is worth remembering these delicacies from Macedonian cuisine.
Fresh beans are stewed in oil and tomato sauce with a ton of onions and spices. It is served in an earthenware dish with homemade bread and yogurt.
14. Raclette in Switzerland
Two words: melted cheese. This dish is named after the Swiss cheese raclette, which is melted in a pan or outside the crust itself. It is usually served on potatoes with pickles and onions or with bread if eaten as a street food on the go.
15. Smørrebrød in Denmark
These are rye bread sandwiches with butter, usually topped with some variations of eggs, cheese, meat or fish.
The Danes use a knife and fork to ensure that the dressings remain intact. In fact, there is a whole social ethic of how smørrebrød is eaten, how it is composed and the order in which it is eaten. Perhaps it is best to do it with a local who will instruct you how to taste this delicacy that is the basis of Danish cuisine.
A dish that may not be on the list but is my favorite dish and that is beans, prepared in the Serbian way. It is my favorite dish and if we are already talking about my favorite dishes, that is, the most famous dishes, my dish may not be the most famous, but it is my favorite dish. And what is your favorite dish?
Fantastic article by you my friend