Albanian cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean (due to the location) and Ottoman/Turkish (due to the 400 years of Ottoman rule). So the food is as if Greece and Turkey had a baby and named it Albania! A lot of olives, olive oil, vegetables, fresh herbs, yogurts, and meats or seafood. There are also some traditional comfort foods of savory pastries and baked casseroles.

Grilled kashkaval cheese - a hot dish made from kashkaval, a semi-hard, yellow sheep's or cow's milk cheese native to Albania. It has a savory, nutty flavor. When grilled, it holds its shape - the inside melts and the outside develops a golden crust

Grilled kashkaval cheese - a hot dish made from kashkaval, a semi-hard, yellow sheep's or cow's milk cheese native to Albania. It has a savory, nutty flavor. When grilled, it holds its shape - the inside melts and the outside develops a golden crust. I liked this one... there were some other Albanian cheeses that we didn't care for.

Qofte - seasoned ground meat formed into small meatballs or oval patties. Typically made with beef, lamb, or a mix of both and heavily flavored with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. Grady had these several times. He liked them!

Qofte - seasoned ground meat formed into small meatballs or oval patties. Typically made with beef, lamb, or a mix of both and heavily flavored with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. Grady had these several times. He liked them!

Qifqi - vegetarian dish from the historic city of Gjirokastër. They are essentially bite-sized, herb-infused rice balls, made by mixing cooked rice with beaten eggs, flour, and dried mint. These things were totally TASTELESS!

Qifqi - vegetarian dish from the historic city of Gjirokastër. They are essentially bite-sized, herb-infused rice balls, made by mixing cooked rice with beaten eggs, flour, and dried mint. These things were totally TASTELESS!

We hit several VERY rural farm to table restaurants that were all really good. This is a typical spread of traditional foods that would be served. Most of these places also made wine. We enjoyed all of the ones we stopped at.

We hit several VERY rural farm to table restaurants that were all really good. This is a typical spread of traditional foods that would be served. Most of these places also made wine. We enjoyed all of the ones we stopped at.

Lamb - the most prominent meat in traditional Albanian cuisine. Due to the country's mountainous terrain, sheep farming has deep historical roots, making lamb a staple. I thought it looked so gross! Grady wasn't a fan of it either!

Lamb - the most prominent meat in traditional Albanian cuisine. Due to the country's mountainous terrain, sheep farming has deep historical roots, making lamb a staple. I thought it looked so gross! Grady wasn't a fan of it either!

Moussaka - We also had this in Greece, but the ingredients vary slightly. Grady said it was really good, but different from what he had in Greece which he liked a lot as well. It has layers of sliced, pan-fried potatoes, meat (beef or pork), and onio

Moussaka - We also had this in Greece, but the ingredients vary slightly. Grady said it was really good, but different from what he had in Greece which he liked a lot as well. It has layers of sliced, pan-fried potatoes, meat (beef or pork), and onions. The topping is a thick, local yogurt.

Fergesa - a traditional Albanian dish, specifically from the Tirana region, consisting of a mixture of roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and feta cheese and baked in a clay pot. This particular dish was served with Albanian sausage. Grad

Fergesa - a traditional Albanian dish, specifically from the Tirana region, consisting of a mixture of roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and feta cheese and baked in a clay pot. This particular dish was served with Albanian sausage. Grady said it was delicious.

Albanian Tomato and Yogurt Salad - Pretty self explanatory! It combines fresh tomatoes with a rich, garlicky yogurt dressing. Of course, this is right up my alley, so I loved it!

Albanian Tomato and Yogurt Salad - Pretty self explanatory! It combines fresh tomatoes with a rich, garlicky yogurt dressing. Of course, this is right up my alley, so I loved it!

Kulaç - a traditional soda bread. These loaves are full of olives and made with olive oil. YUM!

Kulaç - a traditional soda bread. These loaves are full of olives and made with olive oil. YUM!

Byrek - a savory, flaky pie made with thin layers of filo dough and various fillings (spinach is one of the most common). This was probably the most popular traditional Albanian dish. The photo is of one we made ourselves in our cooking class. It was

Byrek - a savory, flaky pie made with thin layers of filo dough and various fillings (spinach is one of the most common). This was probably the most popular traditional Albanian dish. The photo is of one we made ourselves in our cooking class. It was delicious!!

Pule me Përshesh - We made this in our cooking class. It was pretty easy! We started with a chunk of a traditional village style cornbread that we had to break apart into the bottom of the crock pot (breaking it apart wasn't easy!). Then we added chi

Pule me Përshesh - We made this in our cooking class. It was pretty easy! We started with a chunk of a traditional village style cornbread that we had to break apart into the bottom of the crock pot (breaking it apart wasn't easy!). Then we added chicken and broth and baked it. It was DELICIOUS (so was my vegetarian version!)

Sheqerpare - We made this in our cooking class. It is basically a giant shortbread-like cookie made with butter, eggs, and sugar then topped with walnuts. After they were baked, we dumped A LOT of hot sugar/water syrup over them... and let them sit f

Sheqerpare - We made this in our cooking class. It is basically a giant shortbread-like cookie made with butter, eggs, and sugar then topped with walnuts. After they were baked, we dumped A LOT of hot sugar/water syrup over them... and let them sit for it to soak in and make them cake like. We were so full that we took them home and had them the next morning with coffee which was perfect.

Sirene - which literally translates "white cheese". It is a crumbly, brined cheese with a bold, salty, and tangy flavor. It's NASTY!

Sirene - which literally translates "white cheese". It is a crumbly, brined cheese with a bold, salty, and tangy flavor. It's NASTY!

Baked sausage and Kashkeval cheese - they do a lot with sausage and crock pots! This was just another traditional variation. Grady was in sausage heaven!

Baked sausage and Kashkeval cheese - they do a lot with sausage and crock pots! This was just another traditional variation. Grady was in sausage heaven!

Traditional Albanian cornbread - It is different from American cornbread. The American version is typically sweet, cakelike, and functions as a side dish. The Albanian variety is very dense/heavy and savory (not at all sweet) and there are bits of f

Traditional Albanian cornbread - It is different from American cornbread. The American version is typically sweet, cakelike, and functions as a side dish. The Albanian variety is very dense/heavy and savory (not at all sweet) and there are bits of feta cheese in it. It wasn't bad, but we like the American version better.