Bulgarian Cuisine (continued)

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   From SOFIA CITY INFO GUIDE, October 2000, pg. 50:

BULGARIAN CUISINE
(...)  A salad and _rakia_ (Bulgarian schnapps) are the obligatory start to
the meal. (...)
Salads
"SHOPSKA SALATA"--chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and peppers sprinkled
with "sirene" (BUlgarian white cheese).
"SNEZHANKA"--thick creamy yoghurt with chopped cucumber or gherkins, walnuts
and garlic.
"KYOPULO"--roasted aubergines, peppers, loads of garlic, parsley.
Soups
"BOB CHORBA"--traditional bean soup with plenty of herbs.
"SHKEMBE CHORBA"--tripe soup with garlic, vinegar and chilli, quite tasty if
you can bring yourself to try it.
"TARATOR"--cold yoghurt and cucumber soup.
Meat dishes
"KAVARMA"--meat and vegetable stew, usually served in individual pots.
"GYUVECH"--stewed chunks of vegetables and lamb.
"KYUFTETA"--spicy mean balls/hamburgers.
"KEBAPCHETA"--spicy mince meat, sausage shaped, grilled.
Vegetarian dishes
"KASHKAVAL (OR SIRENE) PANE"--fried yellow (or white) cheese.  (I lived on
this--ed.)
"CHUSHKI BYUREK"--fried peppers stuffed with egg and cheese.
"SIRENE PO SHOPSKI"--white cheese, egg, tomatoes and peppers baked in a pot.
(I lived on this, also--ed.)
Deserts
(...)  The "GARASH TORTA" is the Bulgarian equivalent of the Sacher Torte,
made from eggs, walnuts and cocoa.
Snacks
(...)
"BANITSA"--fillo dough pastry filled with white cheese.
"GEVREK"--like a very dry bagel, sold from big bags on street corners.
"KIFTA"--croissant usually filled with jam.
"PIROSCHKA"--dough stick filled with white cheese and fried.
   For the _really_ adventurous, try "BOZA"--a thick malt drink with a
distinct smell.  It's said to be an acquired taste!