World Flavors Cookbook

Qifqi (Gjirokastra Rice Balls)

Name: Qifqi (Gjirokastra Rice Balls)
Cook time: 20 min
Cuisine: Albania
Ingredients: 2 cups parboiled rice; 3 eggs; Large bunch of fresh mint; Salt, pepper; Olive oil for frying

Unique herb-seasoned rice balls fried in a special dimpled pan, a specialty of the UNESCO city of Gjirokastra.

Cuisine: Albania

Ingredients

2 cups parboiled rice
3 eggs
Large bunch of fresh mint
Salt, pepper
Olive oil for frying

Instructions

1. Cook rice until just tender. Let cool. 2. Mix rice with beaten eggs, chopped mint, and seasoning. 3. Heat a special qifqi pan (with round indentations). 4. Place spoonfuls of rice mixture in each hole. 5. Fry until crispy and golden on both sides.