On your journey through “Romania Attractivă” (Attractive Romania), some of the most flavorful discoveries will be found on the tables of the locals. Along the cultural and gastronomic routes of the “Romania Attractivă” program, you will find pies that tell stories – about culinary traditions and the joy of sharing. Each region leaves its mark on this seemingly simple recipe, one you might think can’t be given much personality – after all, a pie is a pie. But that’s far from the truth. From the delicate “plăcintă creață” from Maramureș to the Dacian pies of the Hunedoara area, every recipe carries subtle yet important nuances that turn “tasting” into a spectacle.

In the north of Romania, where legends come to life, lies Maramureș County – a land of endless traditions and story-like gastronomy. Steeped in history and wrapped in mystery, this realm offers a culinary experience that transcends time and space, inviting you to discover its richness and diversity. The plăcintă creață is a source of pride in the region, a simple yet tradition-filled recipe. Flour, water, and salt are transformed into a thin dough, filled with salty cheese and dill, then carefully folded and fried until it gains a golden, crispy crust. The secret? Serving it alongside a glass of groștior – a fine cream collected from freshly milked milk. See more about it here.

In Țara Codrului, you will discover the plăcintă codrenească, a traditional dish with a unique flavor. For this recipe, the dough is made from flour, water, yeast, and a small amount of sugar, kneaded until elastic and left to rise in peace and quiet. The dough is then rolled out, filled with salty cheese, and folded into fine layers. It is fried in a pan greased with oil, resulting in a delicious and hearty pie – perfect for warming up on a chilly day. Read more about Maramureș’s fascinating gastronomy here.

 
A culinary masterpiece made with both salty and sweet cheese, wrapped in thin layers of dough and masterfully prepared by local housewives. A visit to the village of Cumpăna will introduce you to the art of making this pie, where Mrs. Maria Giurgiu, president of the Housewives’ Association, shares the secrets of a recipe passed down from generation to generation. The simple ingredients – cheese, eggs, flour, and a pinch of salt – are transformed into a culinary delight that reflects the richness and diversity of Dobrogea’s gastronomy. Discover the full story of Dobrogea’s flavors on the Romanian traditional gastronomy route here.

Hunedoara County – a region of remarkable beauty and history – is known for its gastronomic diversity, reflecting the cultural wealth of the area. From Sarmizegetusa Regia, the capital of the Dacian Kingdom, to Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, the Roman capital of Dacia, Hunedoara reveals its stories through a variety of traditional dishes. Pies, a local specialty, range from forest pies (plăcinte pădurenești) to Dacian pies, each with its own taste and preparation method. For example, Dacian pies are baked on a hot stone slab over a wood fire, without oil, and filled with salty cheese and dill or green onions. More here.

If you pass through the Apuseni Mountains, you must try the plăcinte pe lespede (stone-slab pies). How are they made? First, with love and great skill. Then, with a handful of quality ingredients and plenty of dedication. The dough is made from flour, yeast, eggs, milk, salt, and a pinch of sugar. It is kneaded with care, rolled out gently on a wooden board, and filled with a divine combination of slightly tangy cow’s cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and dill. The dough embraces this filling, forming a pie baked on heated stone slabs, turned carefully for even cooking. Once ready, the pies are brushed with sour cream or butter, creating a tender, fragrant crust. Served warm, alongside milk or wild berry syrups, these pies become not just a dessert, but an unforgettable sensory experience. More here.


We hope your journey along the routes of “Romania Attractivă” will be at least delicious – one that inspires you and makes you want to discover even more!