Kačamak

Kačamak

Origin
Alternative name(s)	Kachamak, bakrdan
Details
Type	Pudding
Main ingredient(s)	Cornmeal

Kačamak (Cyrillic: качамак) is a kind of maize porridge made in the Balkan countries and Turkey. It is also known as bakrdan (бакрдан) in Macedonia.

History

The dish is made of cornmeal. Potatoes, white cheese or kaymak are sometimes added. Similar to the Abkhazian abısta, Adyghe mamıs, Italian polenta and Romanian mămăligă, it is prepared by boiling cornmeal, and then mashing it while the pot is still on the fire. It was once regarded as a poor man's food, but now is widely eaten, including in restaurants.

Serving

In Bulgaria, it is traditionally served with heated lard or sunflower oil with small amounts of browned paprika or hot pepper. Often cracklings or sirene are added.

In Montenegro and Herzegovina, kačamak is prepared also with potatoes that are crushed and cheese until a thick mass is formed and made and then served.

In Central Serbia, it is prepared with finer grains of white cornmeal, served with white cheese and kajmak. It is usually served with minced meat roasted in butter, boiled grape juice, milk, plain yogurt, honey, sour cream or sometimes with bacon.