Lithuanian cuisine is pretty simple but has a variety of interesting dishes. Potatoes, rye, beet root, various meat, mushrooms and dairy products are often used when preparing Lithuanian food. It’s amazing how much food can be found in the Lithuanian cook’s kitchen. Here are some most popular traditional Lithuanian food!
1. Cepelinai (zeppelins). Zeppelins are big, round shaped dumplings made from potatoes and stuffed meat inside of them. They are usually served with sour cream and and bacon sauce.
2. Šaltibarščiai (cold beetroot soup). Beetroot soup is a popular summer soup because it‘s cold. It‘s made from boiled eggs, cooked shredded beets, cucumber, dill and green onions. All the ingredients are put into a large pot and cold soured milk or kefir is added. This soup is served with boiled or fried potatoes on the side.
3. Bulviniai blynai (potato pancakes). These pancakes are one of many Lithuanian dishes made from potatoes. Sometimes the meat filling is put inside. Potato pancakes are usually served with sour or mushroom cream.
4. Blandėliai (cabbage wraps). This dish is made from cabbage leave stuffed with a minced meat, rice and onion filling. Served with sour cream and boiled potatoes.
5. Kugelis (baked potato pudding). Baked potato pudding or lasagna that incorporates meat (pork or chicken) and is served with sauce made out of fried onions, bacon and sour cream or butter.
If you ever visit Lithuania I strongly suggest you to try out those dishes, but be open minded and with empty stomachs because here in Lithuania we have many more dishes to try out. Bon apetit! Or as we say here in Lithuania - Skanaus!