Mititei

Men, driven out of their offices by the sweltering heat, walked slowly past the palace gates to their favorite bodega for a mititei, that spicy meat roll, and a cool glass of wine with a dash of seltzer. Autos sped past. Newsboys shouted.

Bulgarians have earned bragging rights for their kufteh (cumin-scented veal and pork burgers). Romanians deserve raves for their mititei (spicy pork and lamb sausages). […] Cooks in the Balkans and Iran add baking soda or seltzer water to make their mititeis and ćevapčičis (the Balkan version of kofta) light.

He slow-grills whole pigs, or rotisserie chicken – take your pick – over hot coals, he says. Vegetable kebabs and mititei feature, too. ¶ Traditional Romanian sausages, mititei are made with ground meats – pork, beef and lamb – flavoured with salt, pepper and herbs.