Macedonian cuisine ( mk, Македонска кујна, Makedonska kujna) is the traditional

cuisine A cuisine is a style of cooking characterized by distinctive ingredients, techniques and dishes, and usually associated with a specific culture or geographic region. Regional food preparation techniques, customs, and ingredients combine to ...

North Macedonia North Macedonia, ; sq, Maqedonia e Veriut, (Macedonia before February 2019), officially the Republic of North Macedonia,, is a country in Southeast Europe. It gained independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of Socialist Feder ...

. It is influenced by Balkan cuisines. The relatively warm climate of the country provides excellent growth conditions for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Macedonian cuisine is also noted for the diversity and quality of its

dairy product Dairy products or milk products, also known as lacticinia, are food products made from (or containing) milk. The most common dairy animals are cow, water buffalo, nanny goat, and ewe. Dairy products include common grocery store food items in th ...

wine Wine is an alcoholic drink typically made from fermented grapes. Yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts are m ...

s, and local

alcoholic beverage An alcoholic beverage (also called an alcoholic drink, adult beverage, or a drink) is a drink that contains ethanol, a type of alcohol that acts as a drug and is produced by fermentation of grains, fruits, or other sources of sugar. The c ...

s, such as

rakija Rakia, Rakija, Rachiu or Raki (), is the collective term for fruit spirits (or fruit brandy) popular in the Balkans. The alcohol content of rakia is normally 40% ABV, but home-produced rakia can be stronger (typically 50%). Etymology Fruit sp ...

Tavče gravče Tavče gravče ( mk, Тавче-гравче) is a traditional Macedonian dish. It is prepared with fresh beans and can be found in many restaurants in North Macedonia. It is also commonly eaten by the Macedonian diaspora. This meal is baked a ...

and mastika are considered the national dish and drink of North Macedonia.

Foods

* Turli tava * Ǵomleze, culinary speciality in the Ohrid and

Struga Struga ( mk, Струга , sq, Strugë) is a town and popular tourist destination situated in the south-western region of North Macedonia, lying on the shore of Lake Ohrid. The town of Struga is the seat of Struga Municipality. Name The nam ...

region, different from the Turkish gozlemeОхрид ќе го брендира ѓомлезето
/ref> * Ajvar, roasted red pepper spread; can be mild or hot *

Kebapchinja Kebapche ( bg, кебапче, plural: кебапчета, ''kebapcheta''; mk, ќебапче, plural: ќебапчиња, ''kebapchinja'') is a Bulgarian and Macedonian dish of grilled minced meat with spices. The meat is shaped into an elongat ...

Šopska salad Shopska salad (Bulgarian, Macedonian and Serbian: ''Шопска салата''; hr, Šopska salata; ro, Salata bulgărească; cs, Šopský salát; pl, Sałatka szopska; sq, Sallatë Shope; hu, Sopszka saláta; el, Σαλάτα σόπσ� ...

* Polneti piperki, stuffed bell peppers; usually filled with rice or rice with meat *

Embroidered peppers Embroidered peppers ( mk, Везени пиперки, Vezeni piperki or mk, Нарезнени пиперки, Narezneni piperki), also known as engraved peppers, is a traditional Macedonian meze made of fresh, dried or condimented peppers of th ...

, threaded peppers served fresh, dry or as a spice * Ohrid trout, an endemic species of trout in Lake Ohrid *

Pita Pita ( or ) or pitta (British English), is a family of yeast-leavened round flatbreads baked from wheat flour, common in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and neighboring areas. It includes the widely known version with an interior pocket, als ...

(pastry) * Burek * Malidžano, an

eggplant Eggplant ( US, Canada), aubergine ( UK, Ireland) or brinjal (Indian subcontinent, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. ''Solanum melongena'' is grown worldwide for its edible fruit. Mos ...

spread * Musaka *

Makalo Makalo ( mk, Макало) is a traditional Macedonian side dish. The main ingredients include oil, garlic and peppers although variations in the recipe can also include dry embroidered peppers, mashed potatoes, aubergine, leek and onion. It is u ...

* Pindžur, a spicy vegetable relish *

Popara Popara ( Cyrillic: ''попара'', gr, παπάρα, ''papara'', tr, papara) is a dish made with bread. Typically the bread is old and has a thick crust, and is soaked in either hot tea, milk or water. Sugar, honey, butter, and cheese are oft ...

Pastrmalija Pastrmajlija ( Macedonian: Пастрмајлија) is a Macedonian bread pie made from dough and meat. Pastrmalija is usually oval-shaped with sliced meat cubes on top of it. Its name derives from the word ''pastrma'', meaning salted and dried ...

* Šarplaninski ovčji, or

kaškaval Kashkaval ; bg, кашкавал ; mk, кашкавал ; sr, качкаваљ, kačkavalj; sq, kaçkavall; russian: кашкавал; tr, kaşkaval or ; ar, قشقوان, qashqawān. is a type of cheese made from cow's milk, sheep's milk or ...

(hard sheep's milk cheese from the Šar Mountains (''Šar planina'' in Macedonian)) * Bieno Siren̂e, a cheese originating from the

Mariovo Mariovo ( mk, Мариово) is a historic region in the southern part of North Macedonia, with an area of 1,390 square km and an elevation 1,050 m, situated among mountains. Geography Mountains * Selečka (highest peak - ''Visoka'' 1,471 m) ...

region that shares similarities with the more commonly known

halloumi Halloumi or haloumi (, el, χαλούμι, haloúmi; tr, hellim}) is a traditional Cypriot cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk, and sometimes also cow's milk. Its texture is described as squeaky. It has a high melting point a ...

Urda cheese Urda sq, urdha, definiteness, indefinite Albanian morphology#Nouns (declension), form: ''urdhë''; bg, урда, извара, urda, izvara; mk, урда, изварка, urda, izvarka; ro, Urdă; sr, / ; uk, вурда, vurda; hu, orda, ...

Širden Şırdan is one of the well known food in Adana, which is a southern city of Turkey. Adana Kebap, Şalgam and Şırdan are very popular in Turkey. Preparation The širden is prepared in this way: the elastic muscle organ, abomasum, of sheep or la ...

and kukurek * Sarma * Kisela zelka and rasolnica (sour cabbage) * Mekici (also known as tiganici or pishii), fried lumps of dough * Čorba od kopriva (creamy nettle soup) * Kompir mandžа (a potato-and-meat stew) *

Pleskavica Pljeskavica ( sr-cyr, Пљескавица, ) is a Serbian grilled dish consisting of a spiced meat patty mixture of pork, beef and lamb. It is one of the national dishes of Serbia and is very popular in the neighbouring Balkan and former Yugosl ...

(also šarska and ajdučka) *

Kačamak Kačamak is a kind of maize porridge made in parts of Western Asia and Southeastern Europe. Its name is derived from the Turkish word ''kaçamak'', meaning escapade. It is also known as bakrdan (бакрдан) in North Macedonia. History The di ...

(also known as bakrdan) *

Zelnik Zelnik is a traditional pastry eaten in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. It is composed of layers of thinly-rolled leavened wheat flour dough, or possibly phyllo pastry, filled with various combinations of sirene (a white cheese), feta cheese, egg ...

* Selsko meso, roast beef, pork and lamb with mushrooms, white wine and yellow cheese on top, usually cooked in a

clay pot Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other ceramic materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. Major types include earthenware, stoneware and porc ...

* Tarator * Jufki, Macedonian pasta * Prženi lepčin̂a, slices of bread covered in beaten egg, then fried

Desserts

Kadaif Knafeh ( ar, كنافة) is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with spun pastry called ''kataifi'', soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup called Attar (syrup), attar, and typically layered with cheese, or with other ingredients such as clot ...

* Med *

Tulumba Tulumba or Bamiyeh (Persian: بامیه) is a deep-fried dessert found in Turkey and the regional cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire. It is a fried batter soaked in syrup, similar to jalebis and churros. It is made from unleavened dough ...

* Palačinki ( Crêpe) * Kompot * Lokum *

Baklava Baklava (, or ; ota, باقلوا ) is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. It was one of the most popular sweet pastries of Ottoman cuisine. The pre- Ottoman origin of the ...

Slatko Slatko ( sr, / ; mk, слатко, slatko; bg, сладко, sladko; meaning "sweet") is a thin fruit preserve made of fruit or rose petals in Bulgarian, Macedonian, and Serbian cuisine. Almost any kind of fruit can be used, like wild strawb ...

Sutlijaš Rice pudding is a dish made from rice mixed with water or milk and other ingredients such as cinnamon, vanilla and raisins. Variants are used for either desserts or dinners. When used as a dessert, it is commonly combined with a sweetener such ...

* Alva

Drinks

Coffee

North Macedonia has a well-developed

coffee culture Coffee culture is the set of traditions and social behaviors that surround the consumption of coffee, particularly as a social lubricant. The term also refers to the cultural diffusion and adoption of coffee as a widely consumed stimulant. In the ...

, and

Turkish coffee Turkish coffee is a style of coffee prepared in a ''cezve'' using very finely ground coffee beans without filtering. Preparation Turkish coffee is very finely ground coffee brewed by boiling. Any coffee bean may be used; arabica varieties are c ...

is by far the most popular coffee beverage. With over 5,000 establishments, the traditional

Balkan The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...

coffeehouse A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-ca ...

and

bar Bar or BAR may refer to: Food and drink * Bar (establishment), selling alcoholic beverages * Candy bar * Chocolate bar Science and technology * Bar (river morphology), a deposit of sediment * Bar (tropical cyclone), a layer of cloud * Bar (u ...

—the kafeana—is one of the most common places to go out and have a drink. However, because of the negative

stereotype In social psychology, a stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can be, for example ...

s surrounding the kafana, many younger people prefer to frequent the more Western-styled

café A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-ca ...

s which are also seen as being classier. From the days of the

Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...

through to the present, coffee has played an important role in the lifestyle and culture of the region. The serving and consumption of coffee has had a profound effect on betrothal and gender customs, political and social interaction, prayer, and hospitality customs. Although many of the rituals are not prevalent in today's society, coffee has remained an integral part of Macedonian culture. Other coffee beverages such as

latte Caffè latte (), often shortened to just latte () in English, is a coffee beverage of Italian origin made with espresso and steamed milk. Variants include the chocolate-flavored mocha or replacing the coffee with another beverage base such as ma ...

s, cafe mochas and

cappuccino A cappuccino (; ; Italian plural: ''cappuccini'') is an espresso-based coffee drink that originated in Austria and was later popularized in Italy and is prepared with steamed milk foam (microfoam). Variations of the drink involve the use of cre ...

s are becoming increasingly popular with the opening of more upmarket cafés. Professionals and businesspeople have contributed to the popularity of

instant coffee Instant coffee is a beverage derived from brewed coffee beans that enables people to quickly prepare hot coffee by adding hot water or milk to coffee solids in powdered or crystallized form and stirring. Instant coffee solids (also called sol ...

(especially frappé).

Alcohol

Wine Wine is an alcoholic drink typically made from fermented grapes. Yeast consumes the sugar in the grapes and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Different varieties of grapes and strains of yeasts are m ...

Stanušina Crna Stanušina Crna or Stanušina ( mk, Станушина, also rendered as Stanushina) is a red grape variety indigenous to North Macedonia and is found nowhere else in the world. Little known outside of its native country, nonetheless it is capab ...

Vranec Vranac (), sr-Cyrl, Вранац; mk, Вранец, Vranec) is a red grape variety that originates from Montenegro. It is the most planted grape variety in Montenegro. It is believed to be closely related to Kratosija. Vranac is considered the ...

Traminec Savagnin or Savagnin blanc (not to be confused with Sauvignon blanc) is a variety of white wine grape with green-skinned berries. It is mostly grown in the Jura region of France, where it is made into Savagnin wine or the famous vin jaune and vi ...

** Alexandria **

Smederevka Smederevka () is a white wine grape variety grown in Serbia, Bulgaria and in the Tikveš wine-growing region of North Macedonia. The variety's name is derived from the name of Serbian city Smederevo. Most probably the growing of this grape variet ...

Traditionally,

white wine White wine is a wine that is Fermentation in winemaking, fermented without skin contact. The wine color, colour can be straw-yellow, yellow-green, or yellow-gold. It is produced by the alcoholic fermentation of the non-coloured Juice vesicles, ...

would be consumed in the summer, and

red wine Red wine is a type of wine made from dark-colored grape varieties. The color of the wine can range from intense violet, typical of young wines, through to brick red for mature wines and brown for older red wines. The juice from most purple grap ...

, in winter. * Mastika *

Rakija Rakia, Rakija, Rachiu or Raki (), is the collective term for fruit spirits (or fruit brandy) popular in the Balkans. The alcohol content of rakia is normally 40% ABV, but home-produced rakia can be stronger (typically 50%). Etymology Fruit sp ...

Beer Beer is one of the oldest and the most widely consumed type of alcoholic drink in the world, and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of starches, mainly derived from ce ...

Skopsko Heineken N.V. is a Dutch brewer which owns a worldwide portfolio of over 170 beer brands, mainly pale lager, though some other beer styles are produced. The two largest brands are Heineken and Tecate; though the portfolio includes Amstel, Fos ...

** Krali Marko ** Zlaten Dab ** Gorsko ** Bitolsko ** Kenbach ** Makedonsko ** Starogradsko * Boza, a drink made from

millet Millets () are a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. Most species generally referred to as millets belong to the tribe Paniceae, but some millets al ...

, traditionally sold by ethnic Albanian vendors.

Non-alcoholic

* Mountain tea * Salep * Yoghurt ( Kefir) * Mineral water **Gorska Voda **Pelisterka **Pela Rosa **Ilina **Kožuvčanka **Ladna

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macedonian Cuisine Balkan cuisine