Most people don’t realise how diverse and inventive Lithuania’s cuisine culture is until they visit the country. When it comes to country cultural cuisine the majority of the nation’s most well-known meals are based on either one or a few enduring components, such as rye, pork, dairy products, and herring. And potatoes are still a major component of many modern staples!
Let’s look at some of the most distinctive and delicious foods from Lithuania.
Cepelinai: These potato dumplings are filled with meat, usually pork, and served with sour cream or bacon sauce. They resemble zeppelins, hence the name. They are therefore excellent for both vegetarians and vegans as well as carnivores. Being a very filling food made primarily of meat and high in carbohydrates, they are frequently served as a main course with a variety of sides.
Kugelis: A baked potato dish made with grated potatoes, eggs, onions, and sometimes bacon. It is often served with sour cream and enjoyed as a main course. Regardless of their religious background, it’s likely that every Lithuanian family has a traditional kugelis recipe that has been passed down through the generations. Each dish is prepared somewhat differently from everyone else’s, reflecting the individuality that each cook possesses.
Kibinai: A pastry filled with various fillings, such as minced meat, mushrooms, or cheese. They are often enjoyed as a snack or a light meal. Thanks to the Kariate people, an ethnically Turkic minority that had resided in Lithuania for hundreds of years, they make Kibinai a common dish in Lithuania.
Skilandis: A traditional Lithuanian sausage made from minced meat, garlic, and spices. It is air-dried and smoked, resulting in a unique and flavourful sausage.
Kūčiukai: Small sweet pastries made from poppy seeds and wheat berries. They are traditionally eaten during Christmas Eve celebrations.
Balandėliai: Cabbage rolls stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and onions. They are usually served with tomato sauce and accompanied by potatoes. They are the finest when combined with sour cream and are an excellent choice for a satisfying lunch.
Saltibarsciai (cold beetroot soup): A refreshing summer soup made with beets, buttermilk or kefir, cucumbers, dill, and hard-boiled eggs. It is typically served cold. This beetroot and kefir soup is seasonal and served with boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs. It is a dish from Vilnius that the people of Lithuania are incredibly passionate about. One of its more distinctive features is that it is typically served cold as a way to unwind on the rarely scorching Lithuanian summer days.
When in Vilnius, you can find these traditional Lithuanian dishes in many restaurants and eateries that specialise in local cuisine. Enjoy exploring the flavours and culinary traditions of Lithuania!
