Tavë me kos (Elbasan Tavë)
This dish is called “Elbasan Tavë” in other countries too. It is made with lamb or goat meat. First, the meat is washed, salted, and covered with oil. Then, it is put in a clay dish and baked in the oven. When it turns golden, it is taken out and left to cool. A mix of eggs, flour, and yogurt is poured over the meat. Then, it goes back in the oven. When it turns golden again, it is taken out and served cold. People eat this dish more in spring and summer.
Ballakume Elbasani
Ballakume is a sweet from Elbasan. People from all over Albania come to buy it. There are two types:
Flour ballakume, made with wheat flour and sugar.
Sugar ballakume, popular for “Summer Day” in Elbasan.
To make it, melted butter, sugar, and eggs are mixed in a special pot. Then, yeast, corn flour, and “finjë” (a liquid) are added. The dough is made into small round pieces and baked. The secret is mixing by hand and baking in a wood oven.
Bugaçe
Bugaçet is made with flour, water, and salt. The dough is left to rest in a warm place. Then, it is made into small pieces and stretched into thin layers by hand. Three layers are placed in a tray with butter between them. After baking, it is put in a tray with hot butter. It is cut into pieces and sometimes put inside bread or pita. It is eaten only for breakfast and has been made in Elbasan for 200 years.
Qull with walnuts
This dish is made with turkey meat, walnuts, flour, and butter. First, walnuts are crushed. Then, butter is heated, and flour and walnuts are fried. After that, turkey broth, garlic, and vinegar are added. It is boiled, then put in small clay dishes and baked. After baking, pieces of turkey are put on top.
Tavë with pestil
This is a winter dish with ram meat, cooked in a clay dish. The main ingredient, besides meat, is onion. The onion is chopped, mixed with salt and red pepper, and pressed by hand. Then, meat, oil, rice, and pieces of pestil (dried fruit paste) are added. It is baked in the oven.
Mysnik with kalastre
This dish comes from Turkish tradition. It is made with chicken, rice, butter, and vegetables. First, the chicken (kalastre) is boiled. Then, the rice is cooked with butter and salt. After that, the chicken is put on the rice and baked in a wood oven for 30 minutes. This is a traditional dish, and many people love it.
