Diet
Pies are the centerpiece of the Bosnian menu. Burek or meat pie, zeljanica or spinach and cheese pie, cabbage pie, and many more abound. Breakfast pies are served with cheese or cream, and smoked sausage. For lunch, Bosnians eat a hearty soup, with vegetables and meat. Other favorites are chicken and stuffed peppers. Devout Muslims do not eat pork, whereas other Bosnians enjoy pork. It is a custom to slaughter a pig for the family in November. Part of the meat is kept for Christmas and the rest is dried or smoked. Bosnian cooking is influenced by Turkish and Greek cuisine. Sweets include baklava, a layered pastry with crushed nuts. Tufahija is a boiled apple stuffed with nuts and sweet cream. Though Bosnians consume less alcohol than most, rakija is found all over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Mealtime
The day begins with black, strong coffee, leading to breakfast in mid-morning. Lunch in the mid-afternoon is usually soup, meat with a vegetable, salad, and dessert. Supper can be served at about 8 PM. Bosnians eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand. Traditionally, especially in rural areas, pies are eaten with the hands. Hands remain above, and elbows off the table. It is not polite to speak with your mouth full, but friends can share off the same plate. When entertaining, more food is offered than can be eaten. Guests need to decline more than once.