If you do not want a savory option and prefer something sweet, you can get different fillings such as apple or even pumpkin.
Traditionally, Bulgarians prepare banitsa on Christmas and New Years Eve. These banitsas are different from a typical one you would pick up at the shop, as these special banitsas are filled with charms, fortunes, or dogwood branches. These items symbolize health and good luck for the coming year. Each family member takes a slice of the banitsa, and the found charm is believed to predict their fortune for the year ahead!
Does your family have a certain dish they make every holiday?
The colors of Shopska Salad — red (tomatoes), green (peppers/cucumbers), and white (sirene cheese) — match the Bulgarian flag, symbolizing their national pride and a deep connection to the land.
In my town, Samokov, we sit in a mountain valley near the Rila Mountains, where cool weather, reliable water sources, and fertile soils make excellent conditions for crops. These conditions make us the ‘Idaho’ of Bulgaria; we are the biggest producer of potatoes in Bulgaria! Potatoes play such an important role in our community that we even hold a Potato Festival every year. During the festival, farmers from Samokov and nearby towns gather in the city center to celebrate the end of the harvest and sell their crops. There are live performances from local dance groups, vendors selling handmade crafts, and even a potato peeling and frying contests!
Overall, every meal here tells a story about its region, people, and their traditions. Is there a dish that represents who you are or your family?
