Cepelinai

Hearty, tasty, and certainly filling, Lithuania’s national dish is a classic – even though it might not be the lightest food around (which is ironic as the name comes from Zeppelin airships, which they resemble). First created to fuel workers during the icy Lithuanian winters, these potato dumplings blend grated and riced potatoes with a stuffing made of ground meat, dry curd cheese, or mushrooms. These days, you’re more likely to find them on a restaurant menu than a family table, but they remain a real staple of local cuisine. Commonly, you’ll find them drizzled with a traditional sour cream sauce and sprinkled with bacon bits. But there’s also a new trend for mixing things up. For those craving a luxurious twist, the restaurant Telegrafas in the Grand Hotel Kempinski Vilnius presents gourmet cepelinai, brimming with crayfish and draped in a velvety saffron sauce. When in Lithuania, let this delightful dish whisk you away on a culinary voyage.