Cepelinai - Didžkukuliai

Cepelinai are the national dish of Lithuania. They are also popular in the north-eastern part of Poland (here they are called "Kartacze") and in northern Belarus. Ready Cepelinai are oval in shape and about 10 or 12 centimeters long. So they are more like cigars or airships from the turn of the 20th century.

Their filling varies depending on the region, but most often it is minced pork or pork and veal. In some regions of Lithuania, you can also find fish stuffing (e.g. in the Klaipeda region).

How Cepelinai was created?

Cepelinai have a long tradition as they have been a national dish for over 150 years. Potatoes came to Lithuania at the beginning of the 18th century and quickly gained recognition due to their taste and lack of special cultivation requirements. Soon, they began to prepare various kinds of dishes. The current name is associated with the well-known type of airships that used to be zeppelins. In the past, the name "Didžkukuliai" was used. Even now in some regions you can meet this name.

How to make Cepelinai?

Cepelinai dough is made of potatoes, usually combining raw, grated potatoes with boiled ones. The latter are pounded into a homogeneous mass.