Latvia is a Baltic country located in Northern Europe and bordered by Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. It’s one of the most sparsely populated countries in the European Union with a population of just over 1.9 million.
Latvia is known for its pristine forests and stunning coastline – but it’s also renowned for its delicious cuisine! Here’s what food is famous in Latvia.
Potatoes
Latvians love their potatoes! These tubers are often served boiled, mashed, or fried and are an essential part of many traditional dishes. Some popular potato dishes include Latvian-style potato pancakes (known as Rupjmaize), potato dumplings (Kartupeļu pīrāgi), and Latvian-style potato salad (Kartupeļu salāti).
Bread
Bread is an important part of Latvian culture, with the country boasting a wide variety of breads to choose from. Dark rye bread is particularly popular, as are sweet breads such as sklandrausis (a type of sweet pastry) and rye-wheat breads like rupjmaize.
Fish
Fish is a major staple in Latvian cuisine. Salted herring (siļķe) can be found on many dinner tables throughout the country, while smoked fish like salmon or trout are also popular. Baltic herring (skumbrija) is especially sought after during the summer months.
Meat Dishes
Meat dishes are also widely eaten in Latvia; pork, beef, chicken, duck and rabbit are all commonly used ingredients in main meals. Popular dishes include zupa zaslieka (a stew made with pork or beef), karbonade (fried pork chops), and saldskābais zivju gabals (salted fish with vegetables).
Cheese
Cheese has been an important part of Latvian cuisine for centuries. Popular varieties include Tilsiter cheese from Germany which is often served with beer or wine; smoked cheese from Lithuania; and kazas siers which is made from sheep’s milk.
In conclusion, food in Latvia is varied and flavorful – potatoes, breads, fish dishes, meat dishes, and cheese are all staples in this Northern European country’s cuisine! From hearty stews to light salads to delicious desserts – there’s something to suit every palate!