5 Albanian dishes to enjoy in summertime

Fresh ingredients, seasonal vegetables, fish and meat: these are 5 of the most famous Albanian dishes to enjoy in summertime.

SALÇE KOSI

Salçe kosi is a salted yoghurt dip that’s made of strained yoghurt, salt and olive oil (you can add cucumbers or mint above if you like them). This simply yet delicious sauce is incredibly easy to make at home and can be enjoyed served with fresh salads, meat, grilled vegetables or as a part of meze.

PATËLLXHANE TE MBUSHURA

A beloved vegetarian dish, patëllxhane te mbushura (stuffed eggplants) is a tasty recipe that combines fresh vegetables (eggplants, peppers and tomatoes) with aromatic herbs. It’s one of the most famous summer recipes in Albania, loved by everyone thanks to the fresh vegetables cooked in olive oil, and is especially popular among vegetarian visitors to the land of Eagles. Serve patëllxhane te mbushura warm, accompanied by crusty bread and white cheese for a truly authentic Albanian experience.

GRILLED SARDINES

This small fish is packed with calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids and other vital nutrients, making it just about one of the healthiest things on the planet to eat. This simple yet delicious dish, which can be enjoyed as a stand-alone meal, served with a fresh salad or as part of seafood meze, is the epitome of Mediterranean seaside cuisine. Quick and easy to prepare, they’re best paired with a glass of white or rosé wine by the sea! 

FRESH SALAD

Fresh salad contains the perfect combination of ingredients to make it a full meal: lots of vitamins and fiber from the vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions), carbohydrates and more fiber from the accompanying rusk, fatty acids from the olive oil, and a good dose of protein from the white cheese. While this is not a specific Albanian product (but is eaten in all the Balkans), it is very popular all around the country. 

QOFTE

Tender, bite-sized treats, perfect for dipping in salçe kosi (yogurt sauce) or enjoyed alongside a hearty portion of fresh salad, qofte, or meatballs, are a must-try for meat lovers. A summertime classic, they’re impossible not to love -juicy and fragrant, fried in olive oil, crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside, stuffed with aromatic herbs, the perfect meal after a long day at the beach or mountains. Everyone, kids included, love them.