Rakija is a strong Macedonian drink (from 40 degrees to 55) that can knock down even the strongest drinkers. That's why, you need some food (meze) when consuming this drink, so you can really enjoy it without being knocked down the first 10 minutes :) Here I present you top 6 Macedonian dishes that go excellent with rakija.
1. SHOPSKA SALAD
Shopska salad is always the best choice to combine with rakija. Shopska and rakija are meant to be, they are the perfect couple, the never ending love! Of course, you can use other salad for combination like mimosa salad or cabbage salad or taratur which also goes excellent with rakija.
2.TURSHIJA (WINTER SALAD)
This is one of my favorite salads during winter period, the best meze, it goes great as appetizer, before main lunch or with rakija. Here I mean mixed vegetables relish, sauerkraut, stuffed peppers relish etc. I prefer cold rakija with these kinds of salads.
3. AJVAR AND WHITE CHEESE
Аjvar is a favorite Macedonian traditional peppers condiment which marks the beginning of fall/winter season. Ajvar is known as an ideal companion to cold winters, it's a food that has no adequate replacement, and in combination with cheese, it creates irreplaceable and unique pleasure in your mouth. Similar to ajvar (which I call them ajvar's brothers) are malidzano and lutenica, also very popular products from Macedonia. All of them can be combined with rakija. I suggest sheep or goat cheese for combination.
4. PEPPERS AND ALL PEPPERS VARIATIONS
Here I mean, fresh, baked, dried, fried or relish peppers prepared in various ways, you name it! With garlic, potatoes, onions, mashed, cut - no problem, they go excellent with rakija.
5. FRIED EGGPLANTS AND ZUCCHINIS WITH GARLIC
You can combine them together or make separate dishes. Fried with an addition of garlic and salt are an excellent meze for your rakija.
6.MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS
Here I mean prosciutto (and cheese), djimirinki, some light barbecue, or homemade sausages, it's a matter of taste.
