1 minute read
ALBANIAN CULINARY DELIGHTS: Qifqi from Gjirokastra
STORY
The stone city of Gjirokastra is notable not only for its unique architecture but also for its traditional cuisine which is rich in spices and aromas that characterize this country. One of the most special and oldest dishes is Qifqi.
Behind this old cooking lies a very interesting story to tell. When in an old Gjirokastra family a child was born, the bride’s mother-in-law was cooking for her daughter-in-law, the Qifqi, for reasons that this cooking had a very good effect on breastfeeding or abdominal pain.
The traditional Qifqi originates from the southern Albanian city of Gjirokaster. Shaped like meatballs, this vegan dish is easy to prepare and is considered as the national dish of Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The customized frying pan that is used specifically to shape qifqi is a very important component to this recipe, but especially the generous use of mint powder which leaves a pleasant, fresh aftertaste.
Max of people: 8 persons Duration: 40 min
Here is how to prepare this simple recipe:
• Rinse your rice in a strainer before cooking. Bring the water to boil in a small saucepan. You may use a 1:2 ratio of one cup of rice to two cups of water. Let it cook for 12 minutes. Alternatively, you may use leftover rice for this recipe. • Beat the eggs in a separate bowl. Add mint powder and freshly grounded black pepper and salt. Mix and knead it together with the precooked rice until the mixture becomes solid. • Use a tablespoon to divide the mixture into small rounded balls. Fry in heated 180 °C olive oil on a socket-bottomed frying pan (used specifically for this recipe; can be purchased in Gjirokastra). Certainly, the best spots to savour this dish can be found in the old town Gjirokastra – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
