Cepelinai facts for kids
Cepelinai served with sour cream sauce and bacon bits
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| Alternative names | Didžkukuliai |
|---|---|
| Type | Dumpling |
| Place of origin | Lithuania |
| Main ingredients | Potatoes, ground meat or dry cottage cheese (curd) or mushrooms |
Cepelinai (say "seh-peh-LEE-nai") are a super popular and tasty dish from Lithuania. They are big potato dumplings, often called didžkukuliai (say "did-joo-KOO-lee-ai") too. Imagine a soft potato shell filled with yummy things like ground meat, a special kind of cheese called curd, or even mushrooms! People in Lithuania love to eat them as a main meal.
Contents
What are Cepelinai?
Cepelinai are a special type of dumpling made from potatoes. To make them, potatoes are first grated and then "riced" (which means pushed through a special tool to make them fine). This potato mixture forms the outside of the dumpling.
The Name: Why "Zeppelins"?
The name cepelinai comes from the word "zeppelins." This is because the dumplings are shaped a bit like the old Zeppelin airships. They are usually about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches) long. The size can change depending on where they are made in Lithuania. For example, in the western parts of the country, they are often made bigger than in the east. In a region called Samogitia, people call them cepelinā.
What's Inside? Ingredients and Fillings
The inside of a cepelinas is called the filling. The most common fillings are ground meat, but you can also find them filled with dry curd cheese (a bit like cottage cheese) or even mushrooms. These fillings are what make each bite a delicious surprise!
How are They Served?
After the cepelinai are boiled until they are soft and cooked through, they are usually served warm. A popular way to enjoy them is with a creamy sour cream sauce. Many people also like to add crispy bacon bits or crunchy pork rinds on top. This adds extra flavor and texture to the dish.
Where Else Can You Find Them?
While cepelinai are a national dish of Lithuania, similar potato dumplings are enjoyed in other places too. In parts of north-eastern Poland, like the Suwałki Region, Podlachia, Warmia, and Masuria, a very similar dish is known as kartacz. The word kartacz means "grapeshot" in Polish.
Similar Dishes Around the World
Many countries have their own versions of potato dumplings. Some dishes that are similar to cepelinai include:
- Polish pyzy
- Swedish kroppkaka
- Acadian poutine râpée from Canada
- Norwegian raspeball
- German Kartoffelklöße
- Italian canederli
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Cepelinai with ground meat cut open
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Large cepelinas served with spirgai
See also
In Spanish: Cepelinai para niños
