What to eat in Belarus: Bookmark these vegetarian dishes
Best known for its stunning forests and scenic lakes, Belarus also grabs a major share of the spotlight for its local food, the variety of which is diverse and speaks volumes about its traditions. If you are a vegetarian traveling to this gorgeous country, there are a multitude of dishes that you can relish during your sojourn. Here's a list featuring some of them.
Draniki
Draniki is the national dish of Belarus. It is a potato pancake made with flour, grated potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and cheese. Some may even add applesauce as a binding agent. Locals usually savor it with sour cream, which makes it more appetizing. They even top it with an array of condiments spanning from sweet to savory, so you can make your pick.
Tsibriki
Tsibriki is among the staple dishes of Belarus and locals love to pair it with their favorite beverages. It is made with grated potato rolled in flour, which is then sauteed in lard or vegetable oil. It may look similar to Draniki but its taste is way too different. You can enjoy it with sour cream or milk, or better yet, with nothing.
Zhurek
Zhurek is a comfort food that you are surely going to love on a Belarusian winter night. It is a soup made of oats and dark bread, and the culinary technique followed is quite interesting. A mixture of oats and bread is kept in a warm place for three days and then garlic and some vegetables are mixed to it. Must try!
Kasha
Another comfort food that you will find on the menus of Belarus is kasha, which is a dish featuring any grain boiled in water or milk. Locals typically use buckwheat but also use barley or wheat at times. It is a cereal or porridge dish that can make for the perfect breakfast or a meal when you want to eat something light.
