The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Azerbaijani Foods. If you manage to be in an Azerbaijani restaurant or you are visiting Azerbaijan, I recommend the following:
1. Plov
Plov is one of the most popular Azerbaijani dishes in the whole country. It is a classic Azerbaijani food preparation that includes saffron-flavored rice, cooked with meat, prunes, onions, eggs, dried fruits and fresh herbs. There are many different ways to prepare plov, it all depends on the region and who prepares it.
2. Lavangi
One of Azerbaijanis’ favorite snacks is lavangi, a chicken or fish stuffed with nuts, onions and plum paste. The most delicious lavangi are prepared in a tandir or tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven in which food is cooked over coals. It is more emblematic of the southern part of the country.
3. Pakhlava
Pakhlava is one of the most famous desserts of Azerbaijan and is also often served with tea. It is a diamond-shaped sweet dough filled with walnuts or almonds. It is one of the three main sweets and pastries baked on the traditional Azerbaijani spring festival, Nowruz, which represents fire.
4. Baliq
It consists of any type of fish that is firm and rich that is marinated and skewered and then grilled. In Azerbaijan, the most common choice for baliq is sturgeon from the Caspian Sea. The fish is cut into pieces, which are then marinated in chopped dill with lemon juice and salt. It is usually served with slices of onion and tomato.
5. Lyulya Kebab
Lyulya kebab is one of the most famous national foods and is prepared with minced lamb meat, herbs and spices. Chicken kebab, potato kebab, etc. are also available.
6. Piti
It is an Azerbaijani soup made from tail fat and vegetables, cooked in an aromatic mutton bone broth. Like many other Azerbaijani dishes, piti is distinguished by its rich flavor. The name of the soup comes from the name of a small clay bowl where it is traditionally prepared. Piti soup is also served with pickled products and lavash bread.
7. Dolma
This is a meal with minced lamb meat (sometimes mixed with rice) rolled in cabbage or vine leaves. However, very often you will come across dolmas prepared only with meat (lamb or beef). There is also the so-called Badımcan dolması, which consists of three different vegetables (eggplants, peppers and tomatoes) stuffed with minced meat (most of the time – lamb) and sometimes mixed with chickpeas.
8. Black Tea
It is the undisputed national drink of Azerbaijan. The locals drink it with most meals, following an ancient ritual passed down from generation to generation.
9. Halva
If you have traveled in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, you have probably tasted halva. Azerbaijan’s version is different and is only produced in the mountainous region of Sheki. Few people know the secret recipe for this sugary confectionery, which makes it unique to the area.
10. Qutab
Qutab is a thinly rolled dough, filled with vegetables, minced meat, pumpkin or cheese, and folded into a crescent shape. It can be served as a light snack, but also as a main dish. Qutabs are often sprinkled with sumac and accompanied by yogurt sauce.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Asian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.