Merita Dovolani Mother, Wife, and Author of The Albanian Table Cookbook 'Sofra Shqiptare'

Merita Dovolani comes from a big Albanian family - the youngest of 7 children - from the Dibër part of Albanian and married into another big family - her husband is from Dibër, Macedonia. She was born in Italy and came to the United States when she was 7 with her family. Keeping traditions alive became very important to her and her family. She raised 4 children and enjoyed cooking and making traditional foods for her children, and learned many recipes from her mom, and mother in law. She always appreciated cooking and learning from them. She wanted to make something to give back to her kids (as they were all older and leading their own lives).

What started as putting together recipes for her children to have, became something bigger than she had ever imagined. In about 5 years she was able to convert various traditional recipes she has come to know and also recipes friends/family around her shared and put together this cookbook 'Sofra Shqiptare'. She self published the book and had it printed in Albania. One of the first owners of the book was Aurela Gace.

She wanted to make the Albanian Table Cookbook in English so that those who left their homeland can have these traditional recipes and keep those traditional foods alive wherever they are in the world.

We talk about her journey, her family, her process of making this cookbook, her inspirations, traveling to Albania, the people who have helped her along the way, and she expresses her appreciation to those who have supported her and showing gratitude. She also gives some insight on the recipes, and tips on cooking, and how to use this cookbook to it potential.

She advocates to make these dishes your own. She understands that there are different tastes and seasoning based on locations, and hopes this is the foundation for future Albanian cookbooks and would love to expand with more and more recipes in the future. She gives a great amount of gratitude to moms out there, and is so impressed by the community of Albanian women out there, and wants to give back and support them in any way she can as well.

Get Connected with Merita:
Instagram @Albaniantable
Buy the book today: https://thealbaniantable.com/products/the-albanian-table-cookbook

Connect with BOTA:
@botapodcast

Time Stamps:
3:40 - process of putting the cookbook together
13:57 - social media support and gratitude
20:35 - future plans and opportunities
22:13 - going over how she makes turshi recipe
28:00 - talking about a book signing event @Le Chic Couture
29:00 - connecting and collaborating with others
30:00 - memories with her family
32:00 - importance of making this book in English
34:43 - memories of learning from her mother in law and about the ingredients
36:54 - visiting back home and Albania
40:37 - making traditional foods healthier, and incorporating various ingredients
45:04 - tips for how to incorporate recipes and make the most of this book
46:25 - showing appreciation and gratitude 
48:28 - a touching story about a woman who got the book and her feelings about it

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