Qofte — the meatball that means home

Qofte is the everyman protein. Beef-and-onion mixture, sometimes with bread crumb, sometimes with feta or yogurt mixed in.

Regional twists

• Korça: qofte korçari — small, smoky-grilled.
• Tirana: pasha qofte — Ottoman-era version baked in tomato sauce.
• Shkodër: qofte tave — baked in clay pot.
• South: often served with tzatziki-like yogurt sauce.

Where to try

• Korçë: any Old Bazaar restaurant.
• Tirana: Oda for traditional pasha qofte.
• Shkodër: Tradita Geg & Toskë.