Papare- an invented sweet dish with leftover bread

Few days ago, we were talking with the kids about food, moreover, they kept asking what kind of food did we eat as children.

Well, my husband started to explain to the kids how the Communism regime was, that there was a lack in food products mainly diary, meat or eggs, what difficulties have faced our parents to feed us and so on.

After listening very carefully my son said (and I am going to share this one): – “So, you all faked that your were living a normal life??”

Well, if we had to sum up in a sentence, yes, everybody faked they were living a normal life.

Anyway, I’ve started to describe to my son that my mom, like most of the moms back then, did not throw anything. For example, leftover bread was reinterpreted to a new dish, like Papare (or Bukëvale as it was called in another city). It was done with vegetable oil ( remember, lack of diary??? no butter) and sugar, or the salted version with feta cheese ( I love the second version though). It was a simple dish that we used to have for breakfast or dinner and what’s more important it kept us full.

Serving: 4 servings

Cooking time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

500-600 gr stale bread (preferably wholewheat)
¼ cup sugar
3 tbsp. Water
4 tbsp sunflower oil ( or you can use butter or olive oil)

Firstly start cutting the bread in bite size pieces (or as small as you can). Make your kids do that for you ☺
In a shallow pan heat the oil in low heat.
Add the bread crumbs, sugar and water. Reduce the heat and continue stirring with a wooden spoon
Continue stirring until all the bread crumbs are coated with sugar.
Pat down with the back of the spoon and let it caramelize for 1 or 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat and wait a few minutes before serving. The sugar is very hot so be careful with your first spoonful of papare ☺

The salted version, use feta cheese instead of the sugar. My grandma added few tablespoons of the cheese brine instead of salt, it made the bread moist and salty at the same time.