European cuisine is as diverse as the continent, offering a variety of dishes to suit all tastes. Some have a long history, others have been adopted by other countries, and some are newer delicacies. But we are certain they will make your stomach rumble! Here are our top European foods that you can try on your European trip. Let us know what your favorites are in the comments(European cuisine)!
Pizza in Italy
Pizza is undoubtedly the most loved European food. There’s almost no chance of having a bad pizza while you are in Italy. It didn’t make it to the top 10 European food choices just because it is so popular. It’s impossible to go wrong with pizza, so you absolutely must eat it right where it was made. Capricciosa is my personal favorite. It has tomato sauce with mozzarella, ham, and mushrooms. Artichokes, olives, and ham are also included. Prosciutto and funghi (tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, and mushrooms) are close behind.
Karjalanpiirakka in Finland
This traditional pastry is also known as a Karelian pasty (Russian), karel’skiy pirog (Russian), and karjalanpiirakka. It was once made from a mostly rye flour-based dough that was crimped around a simple porridge. The dough can be made more flexible by adding wheat flour. Creamy fillings such as potato, milk, and short-grain (such as arborio), make the center rich and pudding-like. Bakers brush the pastry with butter, sometimes mixed with egg yolk, and then top it with a hardboiled egg.
Particularly, karjalanpiirakka has been awarded the heritage-affirming title of Traditional Speciality Guaranteed by the European Union. This means that a pastry must follow a few traditional methods to earn its Finnish moniker. These requirements include fast, high-temperature baking to create a crisp outer crust and an open pierakka (Finnish word for pie), which exposes the pastry’s inners.
Although Karelians may fly the flags of other nations, they all share the same creamy-centered, crimped crust pies that bring them together around a table.
Eisbein in Germany
Traveling to a new country is always a magnificent experience. But seeing famous places is only one part of truly appreciating a country. Eisbein, a German dish made with ham hocks – sometimes pickled or cured – is usually served with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. The hamhock is cooked slowly and boiled in water. Various vegetables and herbs can be added to the water. This helps to soften the hamhock and adds more flavor. Eisbein is easy to prepare and, despite the long cooking time it takes, doesn’t require too much attention.
Angulas in Spain
“What is the heck is this?” This is likely how you will react when Angulas first appear. Angulas, or baby eels, look like a plate of short-gray spaghetti. They are the caviar of North Spain and were once a popular dish for fishermen in Basque Country. Simply add a little olive oil and garlic to the dish. Super delicious!
Their numbers have declined dramatically over the past few years due to overfishing. A kilo of eels can now cost up to EUR1000 due to rising prices. A Spanish company came up with Gulas. This cheap alternative to angulas is mostly made from surimi and looks and tastes identical to angulas.
Haggis in Scotland
Haggis is a Scottish dish that everyone has heard of. It’s a key dish in Scottish culture and the national food of Scotland.
Haggis is a dish made from every part of an animal. It is made from “sheep’s pluck”, which is the chopped liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep. This mixture is then stuffed into a lining. This could be the sheep’s intestinal tract, but artificial casings can also be used.
It sounds strange, but it is worth trying at least once. It’s easy to see why this dish has survived the test of time. For a traditional experience, try it with neeps or tatties (turnips or potatoes).
Conclusion
Here it is – the definitive list with must-try classics as well as reimagined favorites you should be sampling in some of Europe’s most beautiful cities. It’s only a small portion of the amazing iceberg. But it will help you find some delicious treats on your Eastern Europe vacation. For more inspiration and the latest information, keep checking out the blog over the coming weeks and months(European cuisine).
