A Tour of Europe's Best Traditional Dishes

There are few better ways to experience a place's culture than to try the local food, and Europe is no exception. From Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, there are plenty of options on the menu. But which are the best dishes to try?

European travel company Interrail Eurail has published its list of the best traditional dishes in Europe to help you experience the best the continent has to offer.

If you're traveling around Northern Europe and find yourself in Finland, the dish of sautéed reindeer is as warming as it is delicious. Go further south, and Sweden's meatballs with gravy are the ultimate comfort food.

You may wish to stop in Belgium, where the fries, or frites, are a local favorite. Or for a larger meal, cross into Germany for some Sauerbraten, a pot roast that traditionally takes 10 days to prepare.

With France being home to Lyon, one of the food capitals of the world, you'll want to try the traditional pot-au-feu, a meat and vegetable stew that's best enjoyed with a glass of French red wine.

For a more Mediterranean diet, a classic Italian pizza is a great way to taste authentic Italy.

As the climate gets warmer still, Spain's traditional rice-based dish of paella is perfect for lovers of seafood. Travel to Greece to experience a tasty moussaka, an oven-baked dish often made with eggplant, meat and sauce.

For those who love exploring the streets for their next authentic meal, Turkish ali nazik — meat kebabs — may be the perfect street food option.

Travelers wanting to visit Eastern Europe should try Romania's sarmale, made with cabbage, grape and rhubarb, or Slovakia's nut-based potica pastry, which serves as the perfect dessert.

A person holding Sauteed reindeer in a wooden plate; Swedish Meatballs in a plate; A woman holding Belgium Frites with gloves; A bowl of Pot au Feu on a cloth and a wooden table; Pizza Margherita on a cutting board; Paella in a large pan; Moussaka on a blue plate; Ali Nazik in a rectangular ceramic plate on a wooden board; Sarmale in a deep plate; Potica on a wooden board with flowers around it as decoration

Exercise 3

Discussion

Have you tried any dishes from the article? Which would you like to try?

Have you been to any of the countries mentioned in the article? If so, did you enjoy the local food?

Have you tried any European dishes you think should have been on the list?

Which of the places you've visited would you say had the best food?

What dishes from your country do you think every visitor should try?

Exercise 4

Further Discussion

Do you enjoy trying new food? When was the last time you tried a new dish?

What are the most exotic or unusual foods you've tried?

What traditional meals from your country do you know how to make?

What's the longest amount of time you've spent cooking a meal? Was it worth it?

Are there any foreign dishes you'd like to learn how to make?

Source

This lesson is based on an article by Kezia Smith.