Speca të mbushura are peppers stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, rice, vegetables, and herbs, which are baked or stewed. This is one of the most famous and popular dishes in Albanian cuisine. The name literally means “stuffed peppers.”
This dish is most often prepared in Albania during the summer and autumn, when fresh peppers are in season.
Stuffed peppers are not exclusively an Albanian specialty. Similar dishes can be found throughout Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean region. In Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Greece, there are comparable meals that differ in seasoning, filling, and preparation method. In Hungary, Romania, and Turkey, stuffed peppers also have an important place in traditional cuisine. In Czechia and Slovakia, stuffed peppers are typically served with tomato sauce.
I tried Albanian stuffed peppers in one of the local “gjelltore” eateries; one portion cost me 300 ALL (3 EUR).
Bon appétit!
