Culinary Arts Festival

Tradition is proudly sustained and displayed here in Bulgaria. Sunday was the annual Bulgarian food festival in Djulyunitsa. Several villages participated by bringing lovingly prepared traditional foods. Many items were made from the bounty of personal gardens which are robust and verdant here. There was also fresh cheese made from sheep’s milk, which was smooth and rich – a little taste of heaven.

Banitza (BAH-neet-za) is a traditional breakfast food made from either filo dough or light bread dough and the Bulgarian cheese called sirene (sear-eh-nay). You will see many different types of breads in the photos. Bread is a symbol of life and welcome, like in so many parts of the world. It is an important staple here.

Women are dressed in traditional clothes with patterns of their villages. The girls are dressed in their performance attire and sang several numbers. The “babas” also sing – they are the grandmothers and their songs are a cross between songs and chants – very tonal and rhythmic. Sometimes entrancing, sometimes joyful, sometimes mournful.

I've uploaded photos - look how colorful and delicious everything looks!

Fresh garden vegetables were highlighted as well as home-made cheeses and pastries. Here is a rough translation of some of the creative food items (an example of the imperfection of Google Translate) :>) Among the appetizing dishes were fish soup, chicken in batter, casseroles with turkey, cake and pancake, pancake varzopcheta, vine leaves stuffed, homemade bread, bean salad, granny cakes, sweet pastry, patch, and other bulgurnik. One of the oldest recipes handed down from mother to daughter was bathing Good share of pie, made with home peel.

And the winners are:
For an authentic recipe award went to the village Zlatka Yorgova Dragijevo on its rolls pigskin. Most were delicious salad with eggs and onions to the ladies of the day care center and a group of "White Ruzhin" from Lyaskovets and best vision was Ivanka Tabakova share of good stew with turkey. The most original recipe was from the village Dimitrinka Ivanova host its bulgurnik. Desserts Todorka Yordanova from Pisarevo - sweet small tomatoes. Since my American Peach Cobbler was not an authentic Bulgarian recipe, it was not included in the competition - it was there for the curious and adventurous palates.

Take a look at the photos and enjoy!