Sklandrausis
A sweet rye pastry tart filled with carrot and potato - an old Livonian speciality of Kurzeme, now protected as a traditional food.
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Sklandrausis is a small open tart with a firm rye crust and a filling of sweetened mashed carrot and potato, spiced with caraway and cinnamon. It comes from the Liv fishing communities of Kurzeme, is one of the oldest recorded Latvian pastries, and holds a protected traditional-speciality status.
What you actually see
- The rye crust - a firm, hand-pinched rye pastry case.
- Carrot and potato filling - the sweet-savoury root filling, glazed golden.
- Kurzeme bakeries - where it is made most traditionally.
- Market stalls - sold alongside other Latvian baking.
When to go
Year-round; freshest from a Kurzeme bakery or a market stall. It travels reasonably well as an edible souvenir.
Honest expectations
The sweet-and-savoury root filling on a firm rye base is unusual and not to every taste, so try one before buying a box. It is dense and filling rather than light. Best sought out in Kurzeme, where it belongs, though Riga bakeries make it too.
Nearby
Kuldiga and the Kurzeme coast are its home ground; Riga's markets sell it as well.
What to pack for Sklandrausis
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
