Summer is here and there are a couple thing Romanians are dreaming off:
Watermelon
Choosing the watermelon is an art. Most famous place where to find the perfect watermelon is Dabuleni. If you want to check that it is perfect you need to look at the tail which needs to be dry, the exterior is going to have a white part which needs to be yellowish; and the last part is the sound check, where you tap the bad boy and if it’s empty it’s too sweet.
Potato salad (oriental salad)
Olives, potatoes, onions, and something fatty (mayo, oil, or yogurt)—this is all you need to be happy. The secret, according to the person that made the post below, is to leave it in the fridge, and I totally agree!
Tomato Salad
My favorite version involves cucumber, tomatoes, onions and sunflower oil. Each family might have their own version, but what you need to know is that most Romanians just dream of eating what is left of the salad with some bread (or french fries with cheese on top)
Corn on the cob (grilled or boiled)
Traditionally we don’t eat sweet corn but as we live in an ever globalizing world, most of the time you will find boilled or grilled corn that you eat with a bit of salt. I grew up eating these bad boys going to the seaside resorts in Romania.
Salata de vinete – Eggplant spread
I keep forgetting that this is a summer food as it’s one of my favorite foods. It is complexe through it’s simplicity as it requires all the steps to be done perfectly. The version bellow lacks onion which in my opinion is a must and the best version is done on a stove top directly on the fire (it’s a nightmare to clean afterwards I know, but totally worth it! )
Gomboti – Plum Dumplings
This is an end of summer treat and even for autumn but I have a lot of fond memories as the summer fades away I enjoyed some tasty sweet dumplings.
Ardei umpluti – Stuffed Peppers
These are definately inspired from the Ottoman Empire, but the choice of meat is different as we eat a lot of pork. The way you make it is very easy, meat rice, spices, stuffed into a pepper then boiled in either stock or bullion or both (variations exist). Best way to eat it is with some nice sour cream, I suggest eating it somewhere in the countryside as that is where the heart and soul of Romaniana cooking lies.
Ardei copti – Roasted Peppers
These bad boys are more of a side dish or something that you transform into other dished but I grew up seeing my dad devour these bad boys on their own. Just like with obergine dip the secret is to grill them on a charcoal fire to get that unique flavour profile. If you make a cream roasted pepper soup it is your choice but I do recommend the experience of just munching on these bad boys on their own. Yes, I said bad boys, 3 times with no regrets.
I promise part 2 is waiting!
Dracula's Guide to Romania 
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