Mekitsa facts for kids
A stack of mekitsi and jam
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| Type | Flatbread |
|---|---|
| Course | Breakfast |
| Place of origin | Bulgaria |
| Main ingredients | Yogurt, flour, eggs, leavening agent, water, salt, oil |
Mekitsa is a yummy traditional dish from Bulgaria. It's a type of flatbread made from dough that's deep-fried until it's golden and soft. You can also find Mekitsa in North Macedonia and Serbia, where it's known by slightly different names like mekike or pitulica.
Mekitsa is often eaten for breakfast. It's a popular and comforting food in these countries.
Contents
What is Mekitsa?
Mekitsa is a delicious fried dough pastry. It's made from simple ingredients like flour, eggs, yogurt, and a special ingredient called a leavening agent. This agent, like yeast or baking soda, helps the dough rise and become fluffy. Water, salt, and oil are also used.
Mekitsa is similar to other fried dough dishes from around the world. For example, it's a bit like the Hungarian lángos or even the British Yorkshire pudding.
How is Mekitsa Made?
Making Mekitsa starts with mixing the ingredients to create a soft dough. After the dough is mixed, it needs time to rise. This makes it light and airy.
Once the dough has risen, it's divided into small pieces. Each piece is then flattened into a round shape. People often use wet or oiled hands to do this. This stops the dough from sticking. Finally, these flat dough rounds are deep-fried in hot oil until they are cooked through and golden brown.
There are different ways to make Mekitsa. Some recipes use yogurt and baking soda. Others might use yeast and yogurt, or even yeast and milk. One very old recipe just uses yeast, flour, salt, sugar, and water.
How to Enjoy Mekitsa
Mekitsa is super versatile when it comes to serving! Many people like to sprinkle it with icing sugar to make it sweet. You can also add jam or honey for a sticky, sweet treat.
For those who prefer a savory taste, Mekitsa can be eaten with sirene, which is a type of white cheese. Some people also enjoy it with a side of plain yogurt.
Mekitsa's History and Traditions
Mekitsa has a long history. It was first made in the 5th century in the area that is now modern-day Bulgaria. It's still a very important and popular food in Bulgaria, Serbia, and North Macedonia. It's a common part of their culture and traditions.
The name "Mekitsa" comes from a Slavic word, mek, which means "soft". This perfectly describes the soft texture of the fried dough.
In North Macedonia, there's a special tradition involving Mekitsa. When a new baby is born, people often prepare this dish a week later. It's like a celebration for the newborn. This celebration used to happen in the baby's home, but now it often takes place in restaurants.
Mekitsa is also similar to naan, a flatbread from India. Both dishes use similar ingredients. However, naan is baked in a special clay oven called a tandoor, while Mekitsa is deep-fried.
