The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Latvian Foods. If you manage to be in an Latvian restaurant or you are visiting Latvia, I recommend the following:
1. Potato Pancakes
Latvian potato pancakes are a quick snack that almost anyone can make. They are made from a mixture of grated potatoes, eggs and flour and are seasoned only with salt and pepper. The potato pancakes are fried until golden brown and traditionally served with sour cream and cranberry sauce. Although these pancakes are considered an inexpensive delicacy, they have only recently begun to appear on the menus of many cafés across the country.
2. Black Rye Bread
Rye bread is emblematic of Latvian cuisine and an essential accompaniment to most meals. Dense and dark, this staple has been around for over a thousand years and even has a special place in Latvian superstition. For example, you should never place a loaf of bread with the bottom side up, or you will experience hunger.
3. Stewed Sauerkraut
It consists of sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), fat and sugar. Each family will have their own recipe and each family will believe that their recipe is the right one. There are many ways to stir sauerkraut and many possible toppings: bacon, carrots, apples, tomato puree, garlic, honey and barley. Sauerkraut is also acclaimed as an excellent source of vitamins and is a delicious comfort food eaten throughout Eastern Europe and abroad.
4. Rye Bread Pudding
A great way to round off a good Latvian meal is with this rye bread pudding, also known as corn zupa. This thick dessert is made by mixing sweetened rye bread, sultanas, apples, cinnamon, cranberries, plums and whipped cream, then drying it in the oven and boiling it, which gives it a fluffy texture.
5. Grey Peas With Speck
This dish is very traditional at Christmas time in Latvia, mainly because eating peas, the main ingredient, is believed to bring good luck and money. It can be served as a snack or side dish and is made with hard peas, which are similar to chickpeas; these are cooked together with smoked bacon and fried onions.
6. Beetroot Soup
This delicious traditional Latvian beetroot soup is one of the best dishes in the region. Although this dish is very popular in Latvia, it also has a tradition in other regions, and its origins lie in Belarus, according to experts. This soup is prepared from finely chopped turnips and their leaves and is also known as bosh. Sour cream, kefir or yoghurt are often added. In addition, the soup is seasoned with vegetables such as parsley or dill.
7. Bread Soup
The main ingredient of this soup, which is eaten as a dessert, is rye bread, which is very popular in Latvia and comes in many types, such as dark or sweet sourdough. To make the soup, the bread is mixed with nuts, whipped cream and sugar.
8. Shashlik
This is a grilled meat kebab common in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In fact, this dish is one of the most delicious variants of kebab. Shashlik is made with pieces of meat marinated in lemon juice with onions, skewered on a skewer, interspersed with onions, tomatoes and peppers and then grilled. Beef, mutton, pork or even chicken can be used for this delicious dish.
9. Smoked Fish
There is no shortage of delicious fish in Riga. You’ll see plenty of pickled fish served cold, but there’s also a good selection of smoked fish, harvested from the Baltic Sea and Latvia’s inland waters. Think haddock, salmon, cod and trout cured to perfection for a delicious taste.
10. Kvass
A popular drink among the Baltic states, Kvass is fermented from black rye bread and is considered a low-alcohol drink (0.5 – 1.0%). Its flavour is often enhanced with fresh strawberries, sultanas or mint, and its golden brown colour makes it a recognisable favourite in a busy market.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.