| Lithuanian meals are simple but filling. Traditional specialties include
skilandis
(smoked meat), šaltibarščai (cold beet soup), cepelinai (potato
dumplings with minced meat filling), védarai (potato sausages) and
bulviniai
blynai (potato pancakes). Smoked eel is a famous Baltic delicacy.
There are many regional specialties. The
Highlanders, or Aukštaičiai, who live in the northeast region, are known
for their pancakes and cottage cheese dishes. The žemaičiai, who
inhabit the lowlands, are known for herbed dips, porridges and gruels.
In the southeast region, buckwheat, mushrooms and potatoes are important
staples, and in the southwest, smoked meats, sausages and cepelinai
(dumplings)
are part of many dishes. |
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| A traditional breakfast may be bread and cheese
with cold cuts, or pancakes filled with cheese. At lunch, many Lithuanians
enjoy a hearty soup or stew. Cold beetroot soup is refreshing in summer
and hot beetroot soup (barsciai borscht) is warming in winter. For
dinner, Lithuanians usually have a meat dish with potatoes and vegetables;
pork is the most popular meat.
Lithuanians drink coffee and tea, soft drinks,
milk and beer. Midus (mead), a popular Lithuanian drink, is a mildly
alcoholic beverage made from honey. Sula, a beer made from birch
sap, is drunk at harvest time. Lithuanians also enjoy gira, a non-alcoholic
fermented drink made from bread.
Popular Lithuanian desserts include honey
cake, pastries and ice cream. At Christmas, people enjoy a special fruitcake
called kisielius. |
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Did
you know? |
| "He
who eats well, works well" is a well-known, traditional Lithuanian saying.
In the past, farm workers were observed while they ate and the ones who
ate quickly were thought to be fast workers. |
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Cottage
Cheese Potato Pancakes |
| Ingredients
10 potatoes,
peeled and grated
125 ml cup flour
3 eggs, beaten
250 ml dry cottage
cheese
Salt and pepper
to taste
Oil for frying
Preparation
Mix grated
potatoes with flour, eggs, cottage cheese, salt and pepper. Drop spoonfuls
into hot oil. Fry on both sides until crisp. Serve with sour cream, sugar,
applesauce or fruit preserves. |
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Did
you know? |
| Bread,
the most important staple, is traditionally placed in the centre of the
table, in front of the father. The ancient tradition of putting bread on
the table before other dishes is still observed today. A piece of bread
is also traditionally placed in the foundation when building a new house.
Bread, salt and wine are presented to newlywed couples to symbolize the
sweetness and saltiness of life. |
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