Qofte are small patties or balls made from ground meat, seasoned with herbs and spices, and cooked by frying, baking, or grilling. This is one of the most popular Albanian dishes. The word “qofte” originates from the Persian word “kufteh” (“ground meat”).
In Albania, you can encounter several variations of qofte that differ in their ingredients. The most popular include qofte të fërguara, which are meatballs or patties made from ground meat, onions, herbs, and spices. Another favorite is qofte në lëng, where the meatballs are cooked in a tomato or other vegetable sauce and served with bread or rice. There is also qofte me perime, which includes added vegetables in the meat mixture, and qofte me djathë, which feature cheese.
Similar dishes can be found in other countries across the Balkans, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. For example, in Turkey, the equivalent is “köfte,” in Greece, “keftedes,” and in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, “ćevapi”.
I tasted qofte made from ground meat at the restaurant Zgara Te Çunat in the town of Himarë (see Where to Eat in Albania). One portion cost 700 ALL (7 EUR). They were perfect.
Bon appétit!
