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Vilnius (Lithuania)
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Main course
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
700kcal
20gProtein
80gCarbs
35gFat
5gFibre
350 gServing
* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.
Cepelinai
How to order / say it
Say it
Cepelinai — [tse-peh-LEE-nai]
Order
One plate of Cepelinai, please.
Locally
Vieną lėkštę cepelinų, prašau.
Say locally
Lithuanian potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat.
Why try it?
Cepelinai is a symbol of Lithuanian culinary heritage and offers a hearty meal that's perfect for experiencing local flavors. Known for its comforting potato dumplings, it provides an authentic taste of Vilnius cuisine.
How it tastes
Cepelinai has a rich and savory flavor with a slightly chewy texture from the potato dumpling, filled with seasoned meat. The aroma is earthy and savory, often complemented by a creamy sauce or dollop of sour cream.
Origin & History
Cepelinai originated in Lithuania in the early 20th century, becoming a staple dish due to the widespread availability of potatoes. The name derives from the Zeppelin airships due to their large, oval shape. Throughout the decades, it has become an iconic dish representing Lithuanian cultural identity.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥕 1 kg Potatoes
- 🥩 250 g Ground pork
- 🧄 1 Onion
- 🧂 1 tsp Salt
- 🧂 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 🥛 100 g Sour cream
- 🥛 50 g Butter
Method
- 1 Peel and grate raw potatoes, then mix with mashed cooked potatoes.
- 2 Squeeze excess liquid from the potato mixture to create a dough.
- 3 Combine ground meat with onions and spices for the filling.
- 4 Form the dough around the filling to create a Zeppelin shape.
- 5 Boil the dumplings until cooked and serve with sour cream.
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