Macedonia: Must Try Food you Need to Know

This blog is a mix between the food I ate and what I did in Macedonia. The two are virtually identical. I had the good fortune to stay with friends of the family, local grandparents who had a spare room in their house. I was immediately welcomed as a granddaughter and as any grandparents do, it was determined I was too thin and needed to eat more. The week I spent with them in Skopje felt like staying with family and I only took three photos my whole time in the country (that is how you know I felt at home).

Besides my living situation, I was introduced to a group of college students who gave me tours of the city, took me out each night, and hiked the mountain with me. It was so fun! Skopje is a weird city, the center has a gazillion statues due to a government initiative a few years back. There are quite literally statues everywhere you see. The more you look, the more appear! Close to the center is an old fortress you can hike up to, giving you a blessed break from the 40 degree weather that was plaguing the city.

At night, I was carted around to local bars, trying every beer, as we chatted about our respective lives. One night we all went to a free concert in the park, it seemed the whole city attended. It was a philharmonic orchestra playing and singing oldies rock songs for two hours. What an experience. We also frequented the best late night munchie locales, where I found myself in an eating competition with a 19 year old. My stomach still turns thinking of trying to eat that burger and fry combination, easily enough food for three (spoiler: I won).

One morning (after my victory, I am still shocked I could walk) we hiked to the top of the mountain that overlooks the city. It was a nice two hour hike, with delicious mountain tea at the top. I thought I would puke for the first hour (why did I eat that burger!), but rallied and felt great once we hit the summit.

Thanks, guys!

When I wasn’t being toured around, I was relaxing and eating at home. In Macedonia you have a big breakfast, a huge lunch, and then a light dinner. I ate more at each meal than ever in my life. And I say my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! I was warned about the “grandma effect” which is Grandma saying “oh, have more, you have to have more” but I initially kind of laughed it off. Oh boy. I was demanded to eat more, food was plopped on my plate, dessert and wine with every meal, and I was all too happy to give in to temptation.

The food was amazing and, as I am accustomed to now, revolved a lot around cheese. They made new meals every day, all starting with a cucumber and tomato salad, which you ate with a glass of liquor. This is apparently super traditional, a shot of liquor before the main meal (served with wine of course). At first I was kind of confused but soon looked forward to my ouzo on rocks every day. Every meal was polished off with ice cream.

I will never forget the time I spent and people I met in Skopje. I am leaving five kilos heavier and with a deeper knowledge of a culture and history of a country I probably couldn’t find on a map a few years ago.

T