This document discusses similarities and differences between cuisines in European and Balkan countries. It provides examples of popular dishes that are common across several countries in the region, such as bean salads, bean soups, stuffed vegetables, stuffed grape leaves, pastries, and eggplant casseroles. Many of the recipes were influenced by the Byzantine and Roman Empires. The document emphasizes that food can bring people together.

1. "Learning about our countries
We are united in Europe
Our national cuisines"
Similarities and Differences
Souzana Ioakeimidou
Dietitian – Nutritionist

2. Most of the recipes in Europe and in Balkans are
greatly influenced by the 500 year invasion
when they were forced to become part of the
Byzantine Empire and before that the Roman
Empire.

3. Bulgarian haricot bean salad
with sweet and crunchy red
peppers and onions, beans
and oil.
Similar Popular dishes in our countries
Greek Mavromatika or Black-Eyed
bean salad with Red Onions and Dill

4. Fasolada
(optionally added ham or smoked sausage)
A popular bean soup
considered the traditional
Greek dish. It is typically
made from various beans,
tomatoes, carrot, onion,
celery, dried herbs, and
plenty of olive oil.
Latvian bean soup with ham
Bulgarian Bob chorba (optionally added ham
or smoked sausage) usually with mint and
paprika
Polish White Bean Soup Recipe (Zupa
Fasalowa)

5. An oven-baked ratatouille of summer vegetables
based on sliced potatoes and zucchini in olive
oil. Usually includes eggplant, tomatoes,
onions, and aromatic herbs and seasonings.
Optionally served with yogurt or cheese feta
Greek Mpriam
Turkish Türlü
Türlü

6. Greek Yemista Baked
stuffed vegetables.
Usually tomatoes,
peppers, or other
vegetables such as
potato and zucchini,
hollowed out and
baked with a rice and
herb filling. Minced
meat is also
commonly used in the
filling.
Latvian stuffed peppers are usually made with
green Hungarian paprika. Fillings can include
pork mince mushrooms, broccoli, herbs,
beans, and corn.

7. Stuffed Vine Leaves with egg-lemon sauce
Greeks Ntolmades, Bulgarian sarma or
sarmi, Turkish Sarmak
Popular dish across the
Balkans.
The two main categories
concern the stuffing, which
could be meat mixture or rice
mixture.

8. Lithuanian Potato
Pancakes comprising
grated potatoes,
onion, and eggs
mixed together and
fried in oil.
Rhodian savoury chickpea
patties called pitaroudia,
with chickpeas, onion, dill
and tomatoes, eggs fried in
oil.

9. Greek spanakopita a grispy pastry pie
stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses
and herbs that are all enfolded by
crispy, flaky phyllo dough
Polish spinach pierogi with spinach
and potato filling. Could be served
boiled on fried
A savory Bulgarian pastry made with filo dough
and stuffed with a light filling of spinach,
cheese and eggs

10. Casserole made of (typically fried) aubergine,
potato, and spiced minced meat. There are
other, less common variations besides
eggplant, such as zucchini.
Mousaka
is a common Balkan dish

11. Bulgarian includes potatoes, eggs
and minced pork meat and
traditional yoghurt on top
Greek includes eggplants, and
minced meat and béchamel
sauce on top
Mousakas

12. Food brings people together