Lapa (North Macedonia)

Traditionally associated with Eastern North Macedonia, lapa is a simple dish that couples rice and poppy seeds. It can be prepared as a savory or sweet dish, and it is traditionally made in dilbek – a clay cooking vessel in which poppy seeds are pressed and rubbed before they are added to the rice. In the past, this frugal dish was traditionally prepared with broken rice (ufak) that was left after milling. The sweet version is typically flavored with vanilla.