VI
EN
Romanian cuisine in general, and Transylvania cuisine in particular, is influenced by Greek, Turkish, and Roman cultures. Don't think "What did Dracula eat?" is just a joke, because besides his vampire-like bloodlust, who knows, the famous count might also have been fond of these 10 traditional dishes from his homeland!
Caltabos
A traditional Christmas dish in Transylvania is a type of sausage made from liver, various pig offal, rice, onions, and spices.
Ciorbă de Burtă
Beef tripe soup is a popular Romanian dish, often served with garlic, chili peppers, and vinegar. Other essential ingredients include veal, beef tripe, egg yolks, garlic, and sour cream.
Ciorbă Ţărăneasca
This is another very popular traditional dish in this region. The soup is made with pork or beef and vegetables. Other ingredients may include eggs, sour cream, lime juice, and parsley.
Kürtőskalács
Kürtőskalács, also known as chimney cakes, are a specialty of Hungarian ethnic minorities that has been preserved in Romanian culture. The cakes are called chimney cakes because they are hollow cylinders. They are made from sweet yeast dough, rolled into a spiral shape with a wooden tool, coated with sugar, and baked.
Mămăligă
Romanian cornmeal porridge uses simple ingredients: just cornmeal, water, and salt. Depending on taste, the cook may also add a little cheese or sour cream...
Mittei
These delicious grilled meatballs are made from a mixture of beef, pork, and lamb, along with various spices such as garlic, cumin, and thyme. Mititei are usually served with mustard and sandwiched between bread.
Papanaşi
This is a Romanian-style fried pastry. The ingredients include fresh cheese, flour, and sugar. It is often served with cream or tart jams such as cherry or blueberry.
Sarmale
Sarmale is one of the most popular dishes in Transylvania and a staple of the Romanian Christmas celebration. Minced meat, rice, and spices are mixed together, wrapped in cabbage leaves, and then cooked for about 40 minutes to create the famous Sarmale, renowned throughout Central Europe. Sarmale can be served with sour cream and is often eaten with mamăligă, a cornmeal porridge.
Tocaniţă
This rich and nutritious stew is made with pork, potatoes, and carrots. It also includes other seasonings such as onions, Hungarian paprika, salt, and pepper.
Zacuscă
Zacuscă is considered a traditional sauce, often served with bread. It's a vegetarian sauce made entirely from plant-based ingredients including eggplant, onions, chilies, salt, and black pepper.
