Latvia Recipes
A Baltic nation that swears by grey peas and bacon. Not sure what to eat in Latvia? Start with Grey Peas with Bacon, Frikadeļu Zupa, Rupjmaizes Kārtojums and Sklandrausis (Rye Carrot Tart). Here are 8 authentic Latvia recipes, each from a specific region, with cultural context and dietary substitutions for every table.
8 recipes
Grey Peas with BaconRiga, Latvia · easy · 1 h 10 minNutty grey peas simmered soft and tossed with crisp bacon and fried onion, Latvia's unofficial national dish.
Grey Peas with Bacon Sklandrausis (Rye Carrot Tart)Riga, Latvia · medium · 1 h 5 minLittle hand-raised rye pastry cases filled with potato and sweet spiced carrot purees, baked until set, an ancient Livonian specialty.
Frikadeļu ZupaRiga, Latvia · easy · 50 minA light, clear broth with tender meatballs and vegetables, a homey Latvian everyday soup.
Rupjmaizes KārtojumsRiga, Latvia · easy · 35 minA layered trifle of toasted rye breadcrumbs, tart cranberry, and whipped cream, a uniquely Latvian dessert.
Skābu Kāpostu ZupaRiga, Latvia · easy · 1 h 50 minA hearty Latvian winter soup of sauerkraut and smoked pork thickened with barley, tangy and warming.
Speķa PīrāgiRiga, Latvia · medium · 1 h 55 minLatvia's beloved crescent buns: soft yeast dough wrapped around smoky diced bacon and onion, baked golden.
Skābeņu Zupa (Latvian Sorrel Soup)Riga, Latvia · easy · 1 h 40 minA sharp, bright green spring soup of sorrel and potatoes cooked in smoked pork broth, finished with chopped hard-boiled egg and a spoonful of sour cream, with rye bread alongside.
Štovēti Kāposti (Latvian Caramelised Stewed Sauerkraut)Riga, Latvia · easy · 2 h 10 minSauerkraut stewed slowly with smoked pork belly, onion, carrot and caraway, then finished with golden caramelised sugar until sweet, sour and darkly glossy, the Latvian winter side for pork, sausages and potatoes.
📋 Teaching Latvia?A free, printable Country of the Week guide for the classroom: geography, a kid-friendly recipe, and discussion prompts.
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