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A Brief History Lesson
Macedonia became a republic in 1991 following the dissolution of Yugoslavia. The history of Macedonia started much earlier. The name Macodonia appears in ancient Greek history, sometimes as a tribe at other times as a state or kingdom. It was the kingdom of Macedon that Alexander the Great, continuing his father Philip II's work, expanded in to the vast empire that have gone down in history. The Romans incorporated Macedonia as a province in 146 BC, during this time a lingual division occured where the southern regions maintained their Greek and the northern went over to Latin. When Rome split in to West and East Macedonia became part of the Byzantine Empire, under periods they were raided and controlled by other entities like Slavic tribes and the Bulgarian Empires. In the 14th century they were part of the short lived Serbian Empire. From the late 14th century until the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century, the region was part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. During the 19th century, under the Turkish rule, a nationalic Macedonian conscience had started to grow. Attempts were made to unite all ethnic Macedonians to one state, they never succeeded; until today a part of Macedonia is in Greece and another in Bulgaria. After the Balkan Wars todays Macedonian Republic became part of southern Serbia which later became incorporated in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During the 2nd World War Yugoslavia was occupied by Germany, after the war it became part of the People's Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a communist people's republic. It remained part of Yugoslavia until 1991 when it peacefully was declared a sovereign independent republic, as such it remains until today. Though never participating in the bloody Balkan Wars of the 1990's, a civil war with ethnic Albanians broke out in 2001; it was resolved by NATO intervention.
The old Roman amphitheatre at Lake Ohrid.
Photo by Wojtek Przybylski.
Macedonian Cuisine
Macedonian food recipes are, much like many other countries from this part of Europe, heavily influenced by Turkey and the Middle East. Five hundred hundred years of Ottoman rule is a natural explanation to that. Influences from Central Europe and Hungary have also been strong. The soils are fertile and the climate mild, allowing for a large production of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Like all over Balkan yogurt (of the kefir type) and white cheese is the most common dairy products. Mutton and pork are the most used meats.
Some Examples Of Macedonian Ingredients And Dishes
Sirene A white brined cheese made of goat, sheep or cow milk; quite similar to feta cheese.
Kashkaval A yellow cheese.
Filo dough A kind of a leafy wheat dough used for pastries.
Ajvar A relish made from red bell peppers, chili peppers, garlic and aubergine. Ranges from mild to hot. Has its origins in Serbia.
Pindur Another relish spread, similar to ajvar but most often aubergine based.
Pita This pita is a filled pie made from filo dough. Can be sweet as a starter, dessert or main course.
Sopska salad A side dish you get with most meals, the most common ingredients are cucumber, tomato, onion, bell peppers and sirene cheese.
Tavche gravche By many considered the national dish. It is a peppery beans stew traditionally served in a earthenware bowl.
Turli tava An oven baked meat and vegetable stew.
Moussaka Oven baked eggplants, potatoes and minced meat. Middle Eastern origin.
Malidzano A creamy salad made from aubergine, feta cheese and walnuts.
Tarator A cold yogurt soup, most of the time with cucumbers, garlic and spices. Popular all over the Balkans and in the Middle East.
Pastrmajlija An oval pizza with dried lamb or pork on top.
Kisela zelka Sauerkraut.
Pleskavica Is grilled minced meat (can be various types of meat).
Bakrdan Made from cornmeal, similar to polenta.
Selsko meso A very common and popular Balkan dish. It is a meat and vegetable stew with mushrooms.
Tulumba Deep fried dough tubes, filled or coated with sweet syrup. Similar to the Spanish churro.
Pogaca A kind of puff pastry that often is made with yogurt.
Lokum 'Turkish delight'. Nuts and dried fruits in sugar gel.
Macedonian Beverages
Mastika is the national spirit, it is seasoned with resin from the mastic tree. Rakija a fruit brandy. Coffee is a national addiction, traditionally it has been drunk in a Turkish manner. The East European chilled fruit drink kompot is a favourite on a hot summer day. Macodonia produces good wine. Lager beer is also a popular beverage and produced in the country.
Submitted Macedonian Food Recipes
I have had no Macedonian food recipes submitted to me. It would be great if you could help me with this! If you can just
click this link
and follow the instructions. Thanks!
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