Homemade Qofte (Albanian Kernacka) Recipe

Instructions

1. Prepare the potatoes

   • Peel the potatoes.
   • Cut them into big chunks so we can boil them easily.
   • Boil them in salted water until just tender when pierced with a fork.
   • Drain very well and let them cool completely.
   • Once cooled, grate the potatoes on the fine side of a grater or mash them very smoothly.
   • You want them smooth so they disappear into the qofte and act as a binder.

   • You need
   • 2 potatoes

2. Prepare the onions and garlic

   • Peel the onions and grate them on the fine side of a grater, or pulse them in a food processor until very finely chopped.
   • Squeeze out some of the excess liquid from the onions with your hands or a clean kitchen towel so the mixture does not become too wet.
   • Peel the whole head of garlic and finely mince or grate the cloves.

   • You need
   • 3 onions
   • 1 whole head of garlic

   New to this? How To Finely Chop An Onion by Gordon Ramsay

3. Combine the mixture

   • In a big bowl, add the grated or mashed potatoes.
   • Add the grated onions and minced garlic.
   • Sprinkle in the salt, paprika, and oregano.
   • Combine everything together and then add the ground beef.
   • Crack in the 3 eggs.
   • Mix everything together very well, folding and pressing the mixture until it becomes sticky and uniform.
   • This step is important.
   • The more you mix, the better your homemade qofte will hold together.

   • You need
   • 1 tbsp salt
   • 1 tbsp paprika
   • 1 tbsp dried oregano
   • 5 lb ground beef
   • 3 eggs

   The more you mix, the better it holds together.

4. Rest the mixture

   • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
   • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
   • Resting lets the flavors blend and the mixture firm up.

   Start a 1 hr timer

5. Shape the qofte

   • Lightly oil your hands so the mixture does not stick.
   • Grab about half a cup and start rolling it with your fingers.
   • Shape into small oval patties or finger shaped logs, the traditional kernacka shape.
   • For kernacka, we are looking to form a cylindrical shape of about 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm).
   • Place them on a tray or plate.
   • Continue until all the mixture is shaped.

   

6. Cook the qofte

   • You can grill, pan fry, or bake. Here is a simple pan frying method.
   • Heat a large skillet over medium to medium high heat.
   • Add oil to the pan.
   • Place the qofte in a single layer without crowding.
   • Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until nicely browned and cooked through in the center.
   • Check one with a meat thermometer. It's done at 160°F (71°C) in the center.
   • Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels while you finish the rest.

   

   I grill them in the video. Preheat the grill to medium high. Lightly oil the grates. Grill the kernacka for about 3 to 5 minutes per side, until charred on the outside and cooked through.

   • You need
   • 3 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil

   Start a 5 min timer

7. Serve

   • Serve your homemade qofte / Albanian kernacka:
   • With fresh bread, salad, and yogurt or tzatziki
   • In a sandwich with onions, tomatoes, and pickles
   • Alongside grilled vegetables or fries
   • Or as bukë me qofte, in bread with tzatziki and onions, the way I eat them in the video.