Culinary traditions and seasonal recipes from the Balkans and Mediterranean

Various culinary guides and traditional recipes highlight seasonal cooking and regional specialties across the Balkans and Mediterranean.

Featured recipes include Shakshuka, a nutritious dish of eggs, tomatoes, and peppers, and traditional plum preserves made with whole fruit in thick syrup. For regional classics, guides detail the authentic Greek Moussaka—traditionally made with lamb, eggplant, and béchamel sauce rather than potatoes—and various Balkan winter preserves such as ajvar, ljutenica, and pickled vegetables (turšija).

Other culinary highlights include a no-cook mint syrup for summer, eggplant-based dishes like Caponata and vegetarian moussaka, and weekly meal planning suggestions such as seafood with potatoes and zucchini rolls filled with ricotta. For homemade ajvar, experts suggest roasting garlic alongside peppers to create a milder, sweeter flavor profile.